THE COURIER (Waterloo, Iowa) 13 April 07 Slithering surprise (Emily Christensen)
Cedar Falls: Snake on the loose sounds like the title of a colorful adventure book that could be found in the children's section of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
But, this isn't the title of a book. It's a real-life adventure the librarians and patrons of the library are living daily.
Skeeze, a 1-year-old red albino corn snake, went missing sometime in the night between March 31 and April 1. The harmless snake is about 2 feet long and "as big around as a woman's index finger," said Laura Walter, a library assistant.
"One of our staff was admiring the snake with a young patron that Sunday," Walter said. "When I came in on Monday, he was gone."
Maureen Woods, owner of Emporium Pets, said the snake is considered a great starter snake because it is affable and not "bitey."
"It is very appropriate to have one around children," she said.
The library had taken preventive measures to keep the slithering reptile in his cage, but Walter said it is possible Skeeze had become strong enough to move the rocks blocking his potential exits. The orange and white snake has been on loan to the library from Maria Pratt since last summer. He was an integral part of the library's summer reading program on animals.
Walter hopes Skeeze is still somewhere in the library, but knows it is possible someone walked away with the small snake.
"We are hoping he just found a clever hiding space," she said.
Small dishes of water have been set out in places that might look attractive to a snake and Walter said they will also put out shoe boxes with bedding inside to try and capture the snake.
And if a patron happens to find Skeeze first, the librarians are advocating for loud noises in the library.
"We would be happy if someone sees him in the library they would just yell," she said.
Shouldn't be a problem.
The library has housed several small animals for years. In addition to Skeeze, Sable the rabbit, two frogs and a gecko are all on display in the children's section.
"We love having the animals. They really get the children interested and get them asking questions," said Walter. "Then they feel more comfortable with us and asking questions about the books."
A $25 reward is being offered to the patron who finds Skeeze. Walter said if someone has walked away with the animal they would appreciate his return and would do so without asking any questions.
Slithering surprise