Newark Airport Passenger Leaves Snake At TSA Checkpoint

A young girl was passing through TSA security at Newark Airport when she discovered her bin used to scan personal items at the security checkpoint was occupied…by a snake.

According to the Transportation Security Administration officials at Newark Liberty International Airport, it appears the thin, black snake with a yellow ring around its neck was forgotten by a traveler Monday night.

Snake Left at TSA Checkpoint (Image: TSA)

“Will the Passenger Who Left Their Snake…”

The TSA released a press statement asking “Will the traveler who left their snake at the checkpoint please return to claim it?”

The young girl apparently heeded posters that say “if you see something, say something” and notified a TSA officer.

An officer placed another grey security bin over the snake, which officials say was harmless.

Officials closed the security lane temporarily and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey police took the snake away.

“It’s common for travelers to accidentally leave items at the checkpoint,” said TSA’s New Jersey Deputy Federal Security Director Chris Murgia. “Typically people leave items such as their keys, sunglasses, ID, hats and gloves, but this is the first time someone has left a snake behind. We have a fairly robust lost and found program that reunites passengers with their lost items, but this passenger doesn’t need to call us about his snake.”

We can hope the snake was taken to a zoo or some other form of humane disposal, if the owner didn’t come back for it.

Are Snakes Allowed on a Plane? Maybe…

The TSA screens a variety of pets that travelers bring through security checkpoints. However, it is up to the airline as to whether it will allow those pets —snakes or otherwise—onboard their aircraft.

Related: Government Says Delta’s Ban On Pit Bulls Is Illegal…But Not So Fast