Tunisia: Giant snake appears near school

A startling encounter with a large serpent near a primary school in Ouled Haffouz, located in Tunisia's Sidi Bouzid governorate, has caused considerable alarm among local residents. The reptile, estimated to be around three meters in length, was observed on National Road 73, near the crossroads connecting the Sidi Khalifa mausoleum and the village, sparking fear due to its proximity to an educational facility and a nearby water source.

Abdennabi Khlifi, a resident of the area, reported the sighting on Jawhara FM, describing the snake as motionless in an abandoned, overgrown plot with holes, a habitat conducive to such creatures. The presence of an unfenced primary school nearby heightened the community's anxiety.

However, reassurance came from snake catcher Bechir Bejaoui, who identified the creature as a 'green snake,' a species known to be non-venomous and harmless to humans. Despite this, Bejaoui stressed the importance of contacting specialists when encountering snakes in populated areas, emphasizing his readiness and equipment for safe capture and habitat identification.

This incident, while ultimately benign due to the snake's non-venomous nature, highlights the natural coexistence of wildlife and human settlements in Tunisia. It also serves as a reminder for residents to exercise caution and rely on expert intervention when dealing with potentially hazardous wildlife encounters, ensuring the safety of both the community and the animals involved.

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