Rat Snake Rescued at Biology Dept.

A graduate student who became mildly alarmed after encountering a nonpoisonous rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) on a sidewalk near McGee Hall said she unintentionally set into action a search and rescue mission after mentioning the snake to a group of biology students in the building. Moments later, excited faculty, staff, and students were rushing around grabbing containers, a pillow case, and a snake stick. They ran outside and were able to round up the reptile for a return to the wild. Biologist Pete Conroy, director of the Environmental Policy and Information Center, led the way and captured the gray and yellow marked snake with his bare hands just before it slithered onto Bennett Boulevard. It has now been returned to the wild by Field School assistants Brad Johnson and Josh Morrison (photographed above). (Photo by Renee Morrison)

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