Ottawa residents who keep exotic pets are being reminded of the importance of responsible ownership after a striking story emerged from Windsor, Ontario this week — a ball python was found alive inside a sewage treatment plant, apparently trying to make its way to safety.
The Discovery
Staff at a Windsor-area sewage facility made the unusual find when the ball python turned up in the plant's screening system. The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society, which responded to the call, said the snake appeared to be trying to escape — and remarkably, it survived.
The humane society noted that other animals have been discovered in the screening system at the plant before, but stressed that snakes don't always make it out alive. Ball pythons, popular as pets across Ontario including here in Ottawa, are non-venomous constrictors native to sub-Saharan Africa. They're known for their docile temperament, which makes them one of the most common pet snakes in Canada.
How Does a Pet Snake End Up in a Sewage Plant?
The most likely explanation is that the python was either lost or abandoned — a problem animal welfare advocates across Ontario, including those serving Ottawa's communities, have flagged repeatedly. Exotic pets that are released or escape into the wild face enormous challenges surviving Canada's climate, and can end up in unexpected — and dangerous — places as they search for warmth or shelter.
Ball pythons are cold-blooded and instinctively seek out warm, enclosed environments. A drainage or sewer system, as unpleasant as it sounds, can register as an inviting hideout for a disoriented snake.
A Reminder for Ottawa Pet Owners
For Ottawa residents who own ball pythons or other exotic reptiles, this story is a timely reminder: secure enclosures matter. These animals are excellent escape artists, and a missing pet snake can travel surprisingly far before being found — if it's found at all.
The Ottawa Humane Society and local reptile rescue groups regularly receive surrendered or found exotic animals. If you find a snake in Ottawa — whether in your backyard, a storm drain, or anywhere else — the recommended step is to contact your local humane society rather than attempting to handle the animal yourself.
The Happy Ending
Fortunately for this particular python, the story has a good outcome. The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society took the snake into care after its unexpected journey through the sewage system. Whether it will be reunited with an owner or rehomed through the shelter remains to be seen, but it's alive — which, given the circumstances, is no small thing.
For a species that can live 20 to 30 years in captivity, this ball python likely has plenty of adventures still ahead — hopefully none involving municipal infrastructure.
Source: Global News Ottawa / Windsor-Essex County Humane Society
