Jason Robinson, a sewer maintenance worker at the Chambers Creek Wastewater Plant, said he opened the cover of a screening device and poked what appeared to be a fake snake with the antennae of his radio, KIRO-TV, Seattle, reported Thursday.

Chief Plant Operator Steve Hanenburg said all of he workers in the vicinity were shocked when the object turned out to be a living 4 1/2-half-foot-long corn snake.

"The snake awoke and stood up, assumed the strike position and began watching everyone closely. Jason carefully moved away from what was later determined to be a white corn snake. Supervisor Scott Roth arrived and walked up to get a look, and the snake struck at him. It made him jump a little, and everyone backed off a bit after that," Hanenburg said.

The workers captured the snake with a rake and turned it over to University Place Community Service Officer Travis Lyons, who gave the non-venomous reptile to the Humane Society.

"I've seen many things come into wastewater treatment plants during the past 33 years, but this was a first," Hanenburg said.