When a Good Samaritan spotted a central ratsnake with a strange lump in his belly, they knew something wasn’t right. The snake was rushed to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, Virginia, where vets quickly pieced together the mystery.
Ratsnakes are skilled egg-eaters, able to swallow and digest whole eggs with ease. But this egg-shaped bulge wasn’t moving. That’s when the vets realized the truth: the snake hadn’t eaten an egg at all — he had swallowed a fake egg.
Many chicken owners place artificial eggs in coops to guide hens where to lay. But if these props are left loose instead of glued together in clusters, hungry snakes may mistake them for the real thing.
In this case, the “egg” turned out to be a golf ball.
The team quickly stabilized the snake and performed surgery to remove the imposter meal.
Thanks to their care, the snake is now recovering well in the hospital.
“This snake is doing great!” said Dr. Jen Riley, hospital director at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
With continued care, he’s expected to make a full recovery and be released back into the wild in just a month or two.
Dr. Riley hopes stories like this help people understand that snakes aren’t the villains they’re often made out to be.
“Snakes are not dangerous and should not be feared,” she explained. “They play a vital role in keeping rodent populations in check, which helps protect public health. Something as simple as avoiding poisons, glue traps, or unsecured netting can make a huge difference in keeping them safe.”
Soon, this lucky snake will be back where he belongs — slithering through the wild, doing his part to keep the ecosystem balanced.
To support animals like him, you can donate to Blue Ridge Wildlife Center here.
