Minneapolis Rideshare Driver Discovers Snake Left Behind in Car

A Minnesota rideshare driver called the police after discovering that a passenger had left a ball python behind in the back seat of his car

A Minnesota rideshare driver was in for a surprise when he checked to see if their last passenger had left anything behind.

On Tuesday, July 9, the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) posted on Facebook that a rideshare driver recently discovered a forgotten snake in his car.

"Fifth Precinct Officers encountered a slithery surprise when a rideshare driver reported an unwanted guest in his car," the MPD wrote in the caption of the post, alongside a video of officers holding up the snake to the camera.

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According to the Star Tribune, the driver originally reported that the snake had been left in their car around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, near central Minneapolis, MPD spokesman Trevor Folke told the outlet.

"The snake was safely removed from the car," the department added in its Facebook post. "Officers were unable to contact the owner of the snake, and it was safely transferred to Animal Control."

According to CBS News, the snake is now under the care of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control.

"No snakes, officers, drivers, or passengers were physically harmed," the MPD added.

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Although the MPD initially claimed in its Facebook post that the snake was a boa constrictor, Tony Schendel, the director of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, confirmed to the Star Tribune that the snake is a ball python.

According to WebMD, ball pythons are non-venomous snakes often kept as pets. They usually weigh about 3 to 5 pounds and are known to be docile.

Schendel added to the Star Tribune that if the snake's owner does not come forward, the reptile will probably be sent to an animal rescue group. He also added that what led to the snake being left behind is unclear.

"It's unusual someone would do that," he told the outlet. "It seems kind of strange. There are so many unanswered questions."

This isn't the only recent encounter between snakes and law enforcement — earlier this month, a man was caught attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes in his pants at a travel checkpoint in China.

According to reports from CNN and CBS News, the unnamed man was attempting to enter Shenzhen, China, from Hong Kong through Futian Port when officials noticed that he had several drawstring bags "sealed with tape" in his pockets.

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In a statement from China customs shared on Tuesday, July 9, officials said that each bag "was found to contain living snakes in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. After counting, a total of 104 snakes were found."

CNN reported at the time that the man was carrying five different species of snakes, including the milk snake, western hognose snake, corn snake, Texas rat snake, and bullsnake. The outlet added that it wasn't clear if the man was arrested. However, customs officials reportedly added in their statement, "Those who break the rules will be... held liable in accordance with the law."

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