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Two venomous snakes found dead in package at post office Two venomous snakes found dead in package at post office
(about 1 hour later)
Two dead venomous snakes were found in a package in a western Pennsylvania post office earlier this month, federal authorities said.Two dead venomous snakes were found in a package in a western Pennsylvania post office earlier this month, federal authorities said.
The box shipped from the Philippines to the Beaver County post office was declared as containing T-shirts, the Beaver County Times reported.The box shipped from the Philippines to the Beaver County post office was declared as containing T-shirts, the Beaver County Times reported.
Captain Thomas Christ of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said a waterways conservation officer opened the box and found two venomous pit vipers, both dead. Capt Thomas Christ of the Pennsylvania fish and boat commission said a waterways conservation officer opened the box and found two venomous pit vipers, both dead.
Pit vipers find their prey and places to hide by sensing heat. There are more than 150 species of pit vipers. Officials didn’t reveal the exact kind of snake, but said they believe the reptiles were alive when they were put in the box.Pit vipers find their prey and places to hide by sensing heat. There are more than 150 species of pit vipers. Officials didn’t reveal the exact kind of snake, but said they believe the reptiles were alive when they were put in the box.
Additional snakes were found at the home of the person to which the box was addressed, Christ said. He said he could not say what the person intended to do with the snakes if they had arrived alive. US Fish and Wildlife authorities are investigating. Related: Cat delivered alive and well after spending eight days in the post
Additional snakes were found at the home of the person to which the box was addressed, Christ said. He said he could not say what the person intended to do with the snakes if they had arrived alive. US fish and wildlife authorities are investigating.
Mailing an animal is a federal offense, and in Pennsylvania, a permit is required to buy a snake, said Henry Kacprzyk, curator of reptiles at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.Mailing an animal is a federal offense, and in Pennsylvania, a permit is required to buy a snake, said Henry Kacprzyk, curator of reptiles at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.
“On a legal end, it’s not something that is a moneymaker,” Kacprzyk said.“On a legal end, it’s not something that is a moneymaker,” Kacprzyk said.
Kacprzyk also said that bringing an exotic snake from another country is dangerous, since hospitals carry anti-venom antidotes for venomous snakes common to the United States but don’t have antidotes for those from other countries.Kacprzyk also said that bringing an exotic snake from another country is dangerous, since hospitals carry anti-venom antidotes for venomous snakes common to the United States but don’t have antidotes for those from other countries.
“People are taking risks,” Kacprzyk said. “People assume if they get a bite, they can go to the hospital, and that is not the case.”“People are taking risks,” Kacprzyk said. “People assume if they get a bite, they can go to the hospital, and that is not the case.”