White ball python falls out of the ceiling at Tacoma hospital

TACOMA, Wash., May 10 (UPI) -- Officials with a Washington state hospital said a former patient's lost white ball python was found when it fell from a ceiling vent.

The snake, which was reportedly smuggled into Tacoma General Hospital inside a cat carrier filled with stuffed animals, went missing inside the building and the owner informed hospital workers after going home from the facility.

Marce Edwards of MultiCare Health System told KCPQ-TV the python was found about a month later "when it came out of the ceiling ventilation on April 30."

Edwards said the snake was reunited with its owner.

Snakes have a proud history of turning up in unexpected places, including urinals, daycare cots, kitchen counters, and -- in one unlucky case -- an electrical box.