Customers relaxing on a restaurant terrace in the Croix-Rousse district of Lyon were startled when an exotic California kingsnake slithered out beneath their feet on Tuesday, August 25.
The reptile, which is banned from sale in France, is believed to have escaped from a private terrarium before wandering through the city's 4th arrondissement.
Emergency response at Croix-Rousse
Staff at the establishment immediately contacted a coordinator from the Groupe herpétologique Rhône-Alpes for assistance. The specialist advised employees to isolate the snake in a separate room and keep a close watch on it while contacting emergency services.
While waiting for firefighters to arrive, the coordinator worked to calm the situation. Although the California kingsnake is non-venomous, experts warned that the reptile can bite if people attempt to grab it with their bare hands.
A specialist firefighter from the animal response unit based at the Pusignan fire station was dispatched to the scene and successfully captured the snake.
Strict regulations on invasive reptiles
Firefighters from the Croix-Rousse station described the callout as an extremely rare intervention. They reminded the public that private ownership of dangerous or venomous animals in France is strictly prohibited without rigorous official authorization.
The coordinator from the regional herpetological group expressed strong criticism over the owner's lack of vigilance, which allowed the exotic creature to escape into a public space.
Known scientifically as Lampropeltis getula, the California kingsnake is a member of the Colubridae family. Native to the United States and Mexico, the species typically grows between 1 metre and 1.6 metres in length and is recognizable by its striking pattern of black and white scales.
In 2022, the European Union added the California kingsnake to its official list of invasive alien species of concern. Under French law, acquiring or selling the species is illegal, though individuals who owned one prior to the ban are permitted to keep their pets.
