It turned out to be a red rat snake. The snake is one year old and 70 centimeters long. The animal can eventually grow to 1.50 to 1.80 meters. Red rat snakes are not dangerous to humans because they don’t bite. They strangle, but are too small to kill people.
The owner of the snake reported to Omroep Zeeland after the news came out. He wants to remain anonymous, but says he is relieved. “It’s an animal, you love it too.” The man lives on the same street as Sturm.
Terrarium door ajar
“The door of the terrarium was left ajar,” says the snake’s owner. “She forced herself through that. We only found out a day later. Her sister and brother stayed in the terrarium. We thought she had ended up in the house somewhere. Now it appears that she was with one of the neighbors.”
Animal welfare Walcheren has meanwhile received more reports. Five people say they have also lost their red rat snake. “That is quite alarming for anyone who does not want to be confronted with a snake in the house. A small consolation is that these types of snakes are harmless,” writes the foundation on Facebook.
Maria Sturm is not reassured. “I think I’ll be lifting all the pillows first every night for the next few months.”
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