Edmonton man comes home to find snake native to U.S. in apartment
Warning: This story contains imagery some viewers may find disturbing.
An Edmonton man says he hasn't slept well since finding a metre-long snake that's native to the eastern and southern American states behind his couch.
The thought that keeps Adel Al-Abodi awake is: "How long?" As in: How long was the snake in his apartment?
The downtown Edmonton resident had just returned to his unit late Sunday morning when he noticed movement in his peripheral vision.
"Looked like a tail," he thought, pulling his sofa away from the wall.
By his estimate, the black snake he found was at least a metre long, perhaps two.
It began moving and Al-Abodi panicked, swinging and hitting the reptile with a tool.
"The snake started moving to attack me. But I hit it again," he told CTV News Edmonton in an interview on Tuesday.
"I was really scar[ed]. I felt in danger."
At that point, the snake was badly injured and barely moving. Al-Abodi called his building manager and the police.
A city spokesperson confirmed a snake was removed from a unit at 9903 105 Street, noting "it was injured prior to arrival and had to be euthanized."
CORN SNAKE
In his panic, Al-Abodi recalled a snake escaping and killing two kids in eastern Canada in 2013.
But that was a python. Edmonton's experts say Al-Abodi found a common corn snake.
The latter are sometimes called rat snakes. According to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., corn snakes are constrictors which wrap themselves around prey to subdue it. They can swallow smaller prey whole and range in length from 61 to 182 centimetres.
The city spokesperson said the Animal Care and Control Centre is investigating where the snake came from, but Al-Abodi says the building manager told him it was a neighbour's pet.
According to him, no pets are allowed.
"It was less than one metre away from where I slept," Al-Abodi said.
"Yesterday night and the day before, I couldn't sleep in the night. I feel danger. Sometimes I jump."
But, overall, he considers the experience part of the natural rhythm of life.
"This is our life: One day up, next day down."
Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Har-Par Investments Ltd. managed the property, as a person at the head office told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday. However, Har-Par Investments later said it does not manage Adel Al-Abodi's property, and that the downtown building was confused for a property by a similar name it manages in southwest Edmonton.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.