See the Snake-Infested House That Was So Bad Experts Advised the Owners to Vacate for 15 Years

Written by Zeek Lepakko
Updated: January 25, 2024
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Shady realtors may cut corners when trying to sell a troubled house, but failing to mention a free lifetime supply of snakes is a bad idea. The shocking news clip below features a story of exactly that otherworldly scenario happening to budding new homeowners. What looked like a promising, ideal family home in Annapolis, Maryland, turned into a scene from a horror movie practically overnight. While trying to settle into their new house, the unfortunate couple soon found a massive snake “dropping in” on them. That’s right — the family was spending an evening with their son and a black rat snake basically came right out of the ceiling!

Watch the Video Below!

It turns out that this monstrous happening wasn’t the first time the house spooked its tenants. The previous owners discovered the place’s dark secret, but their complaints went unheard. Similarly, the folks in the video looked to stop the problem via pest control. The prices of that soared, though, and the infestation remained. An awful detail the exterminators shared was that the house was so saturated in snakes, that they’d need to leave the house vacant for 15 years before it’d be inhabitable again. Thankfully, this entire situation was eventually resolved, though the details remain confidential.

Make sure to double-check your next home before buying, and let’s find out more about these unsettling critters.

Are Black Rat Snakes Dangerous?

A black snake (Pantherophis obsoletus) crawling over stepping stones in a garden

Black rat snakes often brumate inside home attics and basements during the winter.

©ButtermilkgirlVirginia/Shutterstock.com

These guys know how to cause a stir, that’s for sure. Much like the understandably upset family in the video above, people are easily scared by the sheer size of these snakes. Capable of growing up to 8 feet long, it’s no wonder why they’re so good at being terrifying. However, they are a non-venomous species and usually shy away from humans. Being provoked can still encourage them to bite, though, making them less than desirable to have around.

What Do Black Rat Snakes Eat?

As carnivorous animals, black rat snakes prefer rodents, as their name implies. When that isn’t an option, birds, bird eggs, and sometimes other reptiles end up on the menu. These snakes use their remarkable size to constrict their prey, causing their hearts to stop beating. While they aren’t prone to attacking people or pets, the unnerving presence of a slithering critter is not something many appreciate on their property.

One exception to that is that farmers have been known to gladly share space with them. Why? The answer is simple: if they leave the snakes alone, they won’t have to worry about any other vermin invading. Obviously, this kind of tradeoff is a personal discretion, and not for the faint of heart!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Seth LaGrange/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Zeek is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering wildlife in Africa and international travel. Zeek has been studying animals for over 15 years and holds an Associate's Degree in Arts from Lone Star Montgomery, earned in 2011. A resident of Washington, Zeek enjoys designing video games and training his Shiba Inu, Cheems.

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