Victoria workers try to coax shy snake from drain with heat, food

VICTORIA — Work crews in Victoria hope a lot of warmth and a morsel of mouse will charm a snake into slithering out of a city storm drain.

The creature, believed to be a corn snake up to 1.8 metres in length, was spotted Wednesday as crews used a remote camera to probe the drain for a possible sinkhole.

Since then, the drain has been sealed so the snake, which is not poisonous, can’t wriggle into any other dark recesses.

But all efforts to coax it out of its lair failed Thursday.

Victoria animal control spokeswoman Nancy Johnstone says reptile experts have suggested a specific type of baited trap.

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She says the trap was set late Thursday and will be checked sometime Friday.

“They’ve tried luring it out with some food and they’re going to try some heat, snakes like heat,” says Johnstone.

Officials believe the corn snake is an escaped pet. (CFAX)

The Canadian Press