A routine trip to the bathroom turned into a bizarre wildlife encounter for a homeowner in Bracknell, Berkshire, after a toilet that wouldn't flush properly revealed a roughly 3-foot snake lodged under the rim of the bowl, Bracknell News reported.
David Claridge, a pensioner and former accounts manager, said the snake was wrapped beneath the rim of his downstairs toilet, and he used barbecue tongs to pull it out.
Here's what to know
Claridge said he first realized something was wrong when the toilet didn't drain properly, then noticed movement that looked like a tail under the rim of the bowl.
According to Bracknell News, the snake may have entered through a nearby rainwater drain, moved through the plumbing, and become stuck in the toilet's U-bend.
"It turned out the snake was actually underneath the rim of the bowl, so I thought about it for a minute and got a pair of tongs and managed to pull it out," Claridge recounted.
After removing it, he took the snake outside and set it down on an unpaved area at the front of the house.
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Claridge said it began moving back toward the property, so he shooed it toward a grassy area, where it disappeared.
More background
Claridge had never seen a snake near his home before and would have expected an incident like this in the countryside, not in Great Hollands.
The species has not been confirmed.
He was more curious than he was afraid, telling Bracknell News: "I was amazed. I couldn't believe it. I thought, 'I'm imagining this'. But obviously, I wasn't."
What can be done?
If the same thing happened again, Claridge said he would likely contact a rescue center or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
"I'll probably use the upstairs bathroom if I see another snake but at least I'll know what it is when I see it next time," Claridge admitted.
Where can I learn more?
Claridge's bathroom surprise is the kind of encounter residents elsewhere have faced, too.
From houses and yards to busy roadsides, these stories show how easily snakes can end up in human spaces, why experts urge caution, and how quickly an ordinary day can turn into a wildlife rescue.
• In the Mid-South, experts warn small openings into homes are driving a 50 percent surge in snake calls.
• In Australia, a snake catcher was devastated after a homeowner killed a red-bellied black snake instead of waiting for help.
• In Pennsylvania, rescuers spotted a massive snake slithering across a busy street and moved it to safety.
• In Florida, wildlife crews found a giant snake nest in an unexpected spot with protective pythons nearby.
A snake under a toilet rim is still a jarring surprise, but these encounters show it is far from a one-off. They also reinforce the value of calling trained rescuers when wild animals turn up inside or around the home.
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