Whitehorse, Yukon – In a daring escape from the harsh winter climate, a sneaky snake managed to breach Canada’s border security to slither its way into a British Columbia home. And not just any home, but the residence of a well-known snake lover who keeps several of these slimy creatures as pets.
The creeping invader was identified as a California Kingsnake, a species native to – where else but – California. The Kingsnake, who could not possibly bear another minute of the sun-soaked beaches and balmy weather of California, made a valiant journey up north to seek shelter from the cold.
The poor creature was likely ecstatic when it found its new digs – a cozy home with heating, food, and water. Getting into the house was no easy feat, however, as Canada’s well-known “ice wall” presents quite the obstacle for immigrants, of both the human and animal persuasion.
The Kingsnake apparently found a way around the border to invade the unsuspecting British Columbia home. It may have taken quite some time for the Kingsnake to make it into the house, but it obviously had a plan. It had a focus and determination that would make any Canadian proud.
The homeowner, who was not surprised at all about the creature’s arrival, celebrated the slithering newcomer with open arms. She offered it a warm place to curl up and a comfortable, empty snake terrarium to call home.
The Kingsnake’s arrival was announced to the world on social media, where several people cheered and welcomed the new addition to the family.
The snake named ‘Alaska’ in an ironic nod to its newfound northern digs proved quite popular on social media, where it quickly amassed legions of fans. Many have applauded its resilience and grit in being able to outsmart Canada’s border control while others have expressed envy at its ability to escape the brutal winter chill.
“Move over, Buttercup. There’s a new snake in town,” quipped one online commentator, while another marveled, “I don’t know how they do it. These Kingsnakes just seem to keep going and going and going – much like the Energizer bunny.”
While many are happy to welcome new arrivals like Kingsnake into their homes, there are concerns in other quarters that the slithery intruders may bring with them contagious diseases that could pose significant risks to humans.
“We can’t just have reptiles wandering into Canada. They could be carrying harmful bacteria and viruses that could spread like wildfire,” warned a Canadian official. “We need to seriously rethink our border security plans.”
Thankfully, officials say that the risk of disease transmission from Kingsnakes is low. However, they have promised to ramp up border security measures to ensure that no reptiles from warm climates slip through the cracks again.
As for Alaska, the Kingsnake has settled into its new home nicely. And with its newfound celebrity status, it seems that it may never want to leave.