Snake on a plane! Boa constrictor found in carry on bag

By Dean Murray via SWNS

Airport security had a slippery customer when a BOA CONSTRICTOR was found in a carry on bag.

A female passenger was stopped at airport security in Tampa, Florida last month with the serpent coiled up in their bag.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security staff only discovered the creature when its owner put the carry-on through an X-ray machine.

The incident was reported by TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein, who wrote: "Snake on a plane? This is a TSA X-ray of Bartholomew, a boa constrictor who was in a traveller's carry-on bag at Tampa International Airport last month.

"Woman claimed the snake was her emotional support pet.

"TSA notified the airline, which ruled that there was not going to be a snake on their plane!"

TSA say they screen a variety of pets that passengers bring to checkpoints, but it is up to the airline as to whether it will allow those pets—snakes or otherwise—on their aircraft.

Online reactions varied, with mikefly562 posting "So irresponsible too; that snake could easily develop health issues and radiation poisoning due to the x-ray power. She should be held accountable for cruelty to animals for doing that."

While another social media wrote: "They should have confiscated it and turned it into a handbag."

In 2006, Samuel L. Jackson starred in the movie "Snakes on a Plane" as an FBI agent taking on a flight full of deadly venomous snakes.

Boas are a non-venomous species that do well in captivity, usually becoming quite tame.

Despite their reputation for squeezing prey, they are rarely a danger to humans but may bite to defend themselves.