A routine laundry chore in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, turned alarming for one family when they discovered a snake inside their washing machine.
Inside the appliance, a seven-foot rat snake was found resting on a pipe under the machine's cover, India Today reported.
Here's what to know
The reptile was noticed as women in the household were getting ready to do the laundry. They quickly closed the lid again and called for professional help instead of trying to remove it themselves.
Snake rescuer Praveen Tiwari came to the Seoni home and began the removal with a stick, then continued handling the animal with his bare hands. He identified it as a dhaman, or rat snake.
According to Tiwari, the snake was non-venomous, even though its length and coloring can make it appear more threatening than it actually is.
It was later released safely into the forest.
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More background
The animal had positioned itself on a pipe inside the washing machine. Household appliances and other enclosed spaces can sometimes serve as temporary hiding places for wild animals moving through areas shared with people.
A dhaman does not have venom, but that may not be obvious during a sudden encounter, especially with a snake that is about seven feet long. In those moments, fear and uncertainty can create risks for both residents and the animal.
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