Kitchener-Waterloo

Lost snake found under desk at University of Guelph

A small ball python that went missing at the University of Guelph last week was found Sunday afternoon.

Students never in any danger, snake not dangerous or venomous

Officials at the University of Guelph say a student brought the reptile - a ball python like the one seen above - to campus in a backpack. It was missing for more than three days before it was found under a desk in the University Centre. (Hamilton Animal Control)

A small ball python that went missing on the University of Guelph campus last week has been found.

The snake went missing Thursday in the school's University Centre building after its owner brought it to campus in a backpack.

The four-year-old snake – which is brown and black and about two feet long – was spotted by students on the second floor of the building Sunday around 5:30 p.m.

Campus police found the snake under a desk and put it in a box and it was taken to the Ontario Veterinary College for a health check.

Snake not dangerous

Hugues Beaufrère, chief of the Avian and Exotic Medicine Service at OVC, said students were never in any danger because the small ball python is not dangerous or venomous. He said the snake was likely scared and just trying to find a warm place to hide.

The school reminded students and members of the public that pets are not allowed in campus buildings, with the exception of service dogs.