A mildly venomous snake from Ecuador was discovered in a banana shipment at a New Hampshire grocery store. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reported on Facebook that conservation officers were alerted to a reptile sighting in the store's banana section. The snake, identified as an ornate cat-eye snake, was safely captured and relocated to the Rainforest Reptile Shows in Massachusetts.
Known scientifically as Leptodeira ornata, this species is prevalent in western Ecuador, thriving in dry forest ecosystems. According to Reptiles of Ecuador, these snakes are commonly observed along forest trails at night.
Ecuador holds the title of the largest banana exporter globally, with 6.7 million tons exported in 2023, valued at $4.51 billion, as per the Observatory for Economic Complexity. The country's banana industry surpasses its snake population in terms of economic impact.
Incidents of snakes traveling unnoticed in shipments are not isolated. In the UK, a family found a non-venomous snake native to Florida on their couch. Similarly, an Australian man encountered a python in his toilet, known for its constricting abilities. In another case, over 100 venomous snakes were found in a backyard, including five adults and 97 juveniles.
These occurrences highlight the unexpected travels of reptiles across the globe, often hitching rides in shipments and surprising individuals far from their native habitats.
Source: NY Post