Snakes and chaos on I‑95: Unexpected roadside rescue

The incident occurred near Wilson by Raleigh, North Carolina, on Interstate 95, which connects Miami with the Canadian border. According to American authorities, a truck driver collided with the camper. Inside, in addition to five people, there was a collection of animals: 28 snakes, five lizards, a pair of turtles, two dogs, and a cat.

When police arrived at the scene, they found snakes emerging from the camper. Authorities reported that the truck driver either fell asleep or became distracted, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. As a result, he suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. Local media reported that 28 snakes, including venomous pythons and rattlesnakes, slithered onto the street.

The animals were being transported to a show, and their owner, fulfilling an order from a company organizing such displays, was also transporting bearded dragons and turtles. Despite the collision, no animal was harmed, though they scattered disoriented on the roadway.

Surprisingly, all the animals, even the venomous snakes, were successfully captured. It might have been the cool outdoor temperature that deterred the cold-blooded reptiles from making a quick escape.

The dedication shown in capturing the escaped animals highlights that even seemingly harmless escapes of a few reptiles can lead to an ecological disaster with unpredictable consequences. A pertinent example is Florida's experience. More than 20 years ago, when a hurricane devastated the area, it destroyed, among other things, the terrariums in a pet shop. The freed Burmese pythons multiplied to the extent that, over time, they became a significant threat to the local ecosystem.

In response, Florida authorities allocate substantial funds to combat this invasive problem and attempt to control the snake population.