Snake escapes at Michigan park

LEONARD, Mich., June 25 (UPI) -- A snake owner said he is trying to find Hudini, the 5-foot boa constrictor that escaped from his backpack while he was napping in a Michigan park.

Richard Baumgardt said Hudini lived up to her name, which evokes escape artist Harry Houdini, when she slithered out of his backpack while he was camping at Addison Oaks County Park in Leonard June 6, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

"It totally slipped my mind. I just forgot to zip up the pack," Baumgardt said. "Believe me, I want to find her. She's a totally awesome snake."

Baumgardt was issued a ticket for having an animal at-large and authorities said he could be forced to pay restitution for the search effort, which was unsuccessful.

"It's not a cheap endeavor," said Sgt. Kelly Sexton of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office parks division.