TUCSON, Ariz. — Imagine returning home after a few days away and finding an unexpected guest in the most private of places. That's exactly what happened to Michelle Lespron of Tucson, Arizona.
Michelle recalls, "I’d been gone for four days and was eagerly anticipating a moment of solace in my own restroom. To my shock, as I lifted the lid, there it was, a snake, curled up and seemingly at home." She expressed her relief that the lid had been down, preventing any further surprises.
The incident, which took place on July 15, became a topic of discussion among Michelle's acquaintances after Rattlesnake Solutions, the company responsible for removing the snake, shared a video of the event. The footage, lasting 20 seconds, captures the snake being extracted from the toilet and subsequently hissing directly at the camera.
Michelle shared the varied reactions she received, stating, "The unanimous response was, 'Oh my god, that’s my worst nightmare.' Some even believed it to be a staged video, using a prop snake. My own law partner jokingly commented, 'Ha ha. Nice gag.'"
Despite initial attempts by Michelle's father to handle the situation, the snake managed to elude capture. It was only the next day, with the assistance of a handler from Rattlesnake Solutions, that the snake was successfully apprehended. The handler, whom Michelle fondly refers to as "my hero," showcased his expertise by securing the snake with one hand while recording the entire episode with his other hand.
The snake, identified as a black and pink coachwhip, measured between 3 to 4 feet in length. It was later released into its natural habitat. Bryan Hughes, the proprietor of Rattlesnake Solutions, mentioned that while it's not uncommon to find a coachwhip snake in homes, it's certainly rare to discover them in such intimate settings. Fortunately for Michelle, this particular species is non-venomous.
However, the experience has left a lasting impression on Michelle. She confessed, "I resorted to using the guest bathroom for a good three weeks post the incident. Now, I never venture into the bathroom in the dark and always approach the toilet lid with caution, lifting it very slowly."