Toronto Wildlife Centre caring for Mexican snake found in tomato box

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The Toronto Wildlife Centre is taking care of a snake that recently found its way into a box of tomatoes at the Ontario Food Terminal, some 3,000 km from home.

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The process is underway to get the northern cat-eyed snake back to its native Mexico after the orange-and-white snake was found by a food handler who was unpacking a crate of tomatillo tomatoes in late November.

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Northern cat-eyed snakes are mildly venomous and don’t pose a major concern for human health.

In a video posted to the wildlife centre’s Instagram account on Thursday, the snake could be seen being taken out of the box of tomatoes and placed into an enclosure.

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The snake was medically examined by veterinary staff and is said to be in good health.

Staff and volunteers at the wildlife centre are providing regular care for the snake while ensuring its enclosure is warm and moist enough.

The centre is a charitable wildlife rescue organization that largely runs on donations. More than 5,600 creatures have been treated this year.

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Part of the organization’s mandate is to ensure so-called “accidental travellers” can return to their native surroundings.

In this instance, returning the snake to Mexico could reportedly cost thousands of dollars.

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