15-inch-long snake left behind by passenger at TSA checkpoint

A passenger forgot their pet snake at a TSA checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport.

A 15-inch-long snake was left behind by a passenger at the security checkpoint in Newark Liberty International Airport.

According to reports, a child spotted the yellow-ringed snake on the floor, alerting officers nearby.

A TSA agent managed to trap the reptile with a luggage bin before being taken away.

“It’s common for travellers to accidentally leave items at the checkpoint,” said TSA’s New Jersey Federal Security Director Tom Carter.

“Typically people leave items such as their keys, sunglasses, ID, hats and gloves, but this is the first time someone has left a snake behind.”

Someone left this snake at a @TSA checkpoint at @EWRairport last night. TSA has a good lost and found program to reunite travelers with items they’ve left at checkpoints, but if that was your snake, don’t bother calling to retrieve it. pic.twitter.com/qpvxRbRRZf

— TSAmedia_LisaF (@TSAmedia_LisaF) August 20, 2019

Authorities will not be reviewing CCTV to reunite the snake with its owner, claiming it would take too much time.

According to the DOT’s latest guidelines on emotional support animals, it is up to an airline whether a snake is allowed to fly.