Woman spots ball python snake on Royal Botanical Gardens’ trail

Some people got an unexpected surprise while out on their morning walk at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington on Thursday — they came across a python snake.

While Margaret Bennett may be scared of snakes, she says the one she saw on Thursday while out on her morning walk wasn’t frightening.

According to Burlington Animals Services, it was a ball python snake. The organization was called yesterday to pick up the animal.

The snake is in a 10 day quarantine period while they wait for the owner to possibly come forward.

READ MORE: Hamilton man faces charges for abusing dog in disturbing video

Amanda Steen is the director at Little Rays Reptile Zoo and Nature Centre in Hamilton where they have five ball pythons. While she says the snakes are not native to this area, she’s not surprised one was one the loose.

Steen says snakes are curious creatures and they will explore their environment.

According to Little Rays ball pythons are a common pet throughout Ontario, because they are generally friendly, they don’t need a lot of attention and their average age is around 30 years old.

The animal service suspects that the snake was a pet that somehow escaped from their owner or that it could have been placed at the RBG.

READ MORE: Burlington Skyway bridge to remain open for next 2 weekends