Shoppers at a local Target store in Iowa got more than they bargained for when they stumbled upon a massive snake lurking in a shopping cart. The snake, estimated to be at least six feet long, was found inside a shopping cart outside the store’s entrance, apparently confused and disoriented as to how it ended up in the middle of a retail store.
The discovery of the reptile quickly garnered attention from shoppers and staff alike, with some onlookers expressing fear and concern while others tried to snap photos for social media.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought it was a prank or something,” said one shopper, who declined to be identified. “But then it started moving and I knew it was real. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Store security quickly sprang into action, calling local wildlife experts to safely capture and remove the snake from the premises. Meanwhile, employees blocked off the entrance to the store with caution tape to prevent any further disturbances caused by the snake.
“I have no idea how that thing ended up in a shopping cart in front of our store, but we certainly don’t want it here,” said a Target spokesperson, shaking their head in disbelief. “Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our customers, so we’re glad that no one got hurt or injured.”
The snake, which was eventually identified as a reticulated python, is not native to Iowa and is believed to have been someone’s exotic pet. Wildlife experts expressed concern over the dangers of keeping large snakes like the reticulated python as pets, citing numerous cases of attacks on humans and pets.
“This should be a wake-up call to anyone out there who thinks it’s okay to keep a python or any other large snake as a pet,” said a local wildlife expert. “These animals are wild animals and should be kept in their natural habitats, not in people’s homes or shopping carts. It’s just not safe for anyone involved.”
As for the snake itself, it was safely taken into custody by local wildlife officials and transported to a nearby wildlife center for further evaluation. While it’s unclear what fate awaits the reticulated python, for now, it can rest easy knowing that it won’t be spending another day in a shopping cart at Target.
In the end, the discovery of the massive snake at a local Target store in Iowa serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the world we live in. While we can’t always control what happens around us, we can take comfort in the fact that there are professionals out there who know how to handle unexpected situations like this one. And for that, we can all rest a little easier at night.
