A woman in Greece got the surprise of a lifetime when she approached her car for a routine trip and discovered a snake coiled around the accelerator pedal.
Getting the animal out required emergency responders and a rescue effort that quickly became complicated.
What happened?
According to To Vima, finding the reptile inside her vehicle left the driver frightened. In response, she called the local fire department.
To Vima reported that when two firefighters arrived, they tried to remove the snake safely. Instead, it moved farther into the vehicle and disappeared into the dashboard area.
Firefighters made three manual attempts before trying a different tactic, using the car's air conditioning in hopes of changing the interior conditions and drawing the snake out. That also failed, To Vima reported, and the animal was later found dead in the dashboard area after being injured during the rescue attempt.
The vehicle was later taken to an auto repair shop, where part of the dashboard was removed so the snake could be extracted.
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Why does it matter?
Wildlife encounters are not limited to forests and fields. Wild animals are known to go into man-made areas, especially cars and homes that offer warmth and shelter.
To Vima reported that in Greece, snake encounters become more frequent in spring and summer. Bites usually happen by accident, such as when someone steps on or touches a hidden snake.
With a few exceptions, To Vima reported that most snake species in Greece are not dangerous to people
What's being done?
Snakes play an important ecological role by helping control rodent populations. So, although an encounter with a snake can be dangerous and startling, experts recommend calling local wildlife officials to help relocate one if need be.
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People in snake-prone areas can also reduce the likelihood of an encounter by checking around vehicles parked near brush or tall grass, wearing sturdy shoes outdoors during warmer months, and using caution when reaching into dark or enclosed spaces.
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