Most people expect their first days in a new home to be memorable, but Deborah from Saint-Paul-le-Gaultier (Sarthe), on the edge of Orne and Mayenne, had no idea just how unforgettable hers would be. A relaxing evening shower turned into a moment straight out of a suspense film—complete with uninvited, slithering guest.
Shower Time Turns Into Slither Time
It was just after 8 PM. Deborah, freshly moved into her new house, decided to wash off the stress of the day. She stepped under the warm spray, let herself unwind, and just as she started enjoying the comfort of her new bathroom, she felt something distinctly odd at her feet. To her astonishment—and maybe horror—a snake, having made its way up through the plumbing, started winding around her toes. “When I felt it on my feet, I screamed and ran out,” Deborah recalled. Not exactly the spa-like retreat she had in mind.
Panic, Tears, and One Cool-Headed Partner
Hearing Deborah’s distress, her partner rushed to the bathroom. He found her in tears while, in the shower, a sleek, black snake over a meter long had curled up, making itself quite at home. “I was completely paralyzed,” said Deborah, still shaken by the memory. But while she was petrified, her companion kept his calm.
Determined to get to the bottom of the reptilian mystery, Deborah’s partner turned to the internet. He used an app that identifies snakes from a single snapshot—a very 21st-century solution to an age-old problem. Through this digital detective work, they discovered it was an Aesculapian snake, known locally as “couleuvre d’Esculape”—a species that, fortunately, is harmless.
The couple, perhaps not wishing to become the latest gossip in the local firehouse, chose not to call the fire brigade. “We didn’t want to bother them for nothing,” Deborah explained. Armed with nothing but a stick, a cardboard box, and nerves of steel, her partner managed to capture the unexpected visitor and release it in a nearby field, just a few hundred meters from the house. Deborah, meanwhile, says she didn’t stop crying until the snake had well and truly disappeared back into nature.
An Exceptional (and Rare) Plumbing Problem
For local firefighters, such snake escapades are truly extraordinary events. Lieutenant-Colonel Foltzer, speaking for the Orne fire and rescue service, confirmed, “To our memory, there’s never been an intervention in the département for a snake coming up through the pipes.” So if you’ve ever suspected your drains might lead to a wildlife safari, rest assured—such incidents are not the norm.
After being contacted, François Radigue of the Faune et Flore de l’Orne association confirmed the snake’s identity: an Aesculapian snake, which inhabits the regions of Orne and Sarthe, can reach up to 1.6 meters in length, and—here’s the kicker—has a knack for making surprise appearances in residents’ homes.
- Species: Aesculapian snake (couleuvre d’Esculape)
- Harmless, but startling in a shower
- Common in Orne and Sarthe
- Can grow up to 1.6 meters long
Plumbing Woes and Future Snake-Proofing
Why did the snake pick Deborah’s shower, of all places? The answer lies in the plumbing. A specialist explained that the snake’s appearance indicated a waterproofing flaw in the exterior part of the house’s sanitation system, likely around a small tank or cistern. Luckily, renovations were already scheduled for the house’s septic tank. This, it’s hoped, should prevent any more faucet-dwelling reptiles from making a grand entrance into daily life.
Deborah’s tale is a reminder for all of us that when moving into a new place, you never really know what surprises might crawl through the pipes. And should you meet an unexpected guest while showering, remember: stay calm, keep your phone handy for research, and maybe invest in some extra plumbing work. It’s better to have a splash of water than a slither of snake at bath time!
William is the creative mind behind Aversa Outdoor — a lifelong outdoor enthusiast with a deep love for gardening, home design, and everything in between.
He grew up surrounded by nature, spending weekends helping in the family garden and learning the joy of building things by hand. Over time, that passion turned into a mission: helping others create spaces they love, inside and out.
With Aversa Outdoor, William shares practical tips, fresh ideas, and a laid-back approach to home and garden living. Whether you’re planting your first herbs, planning a patio makeover, or just looking for inspiration, he’s here to make it simple, rewarding, and a little bit fun.
When he’s not in the garden or sketching his next DIY project, you’ll find him exploring local nurseries, chasing the perfect sunset light, or sipping coffee on the porch with a good book.
