Venomous Snake Discovered in Banana Shipment at New Hampshire Grocery Store

The Ornate Cat-eyed Snake, native to Ecuador, was safely relocated to a reptile rescue organization after being found by store employees.

Market Basket employees in Manchester, New Hampshire, found a mildly venomous Ornate Cat-eyed Snake in a shipment of bananas from Ecuador.
The snake, approximately 18 inches long, is not considered dangerous to humans, though its bite can cause pain and swelling.
New Hampshire Fish and Game officials safely removed the snake and transferred it to Rainforest Reptile Shows, a nonprofit specializing in reptile care and education.
The rescue organization plans to create a habitat mimicking the snake's native environment and may keep it as an educational ambassador or transfer it to an accredited zoo.
A public naming contest for the snake is being held on social media, with popular suggestions including 'Chiquita' and 'Anna Banana.'