Abbott handed off the pillowcase and its passenger to firefighter Charlene Barbera. She passed it along to a police officer. The police officer took the snake to the city animal shelter. It's doing a lot better. It's warmer now than it was when it was first brought in.
Heat is very important for snakes.
They don't like to get cold. The snake was probably suffering from a bit of smoke inhalation as well, Abbott pointed out. The firefighter wasn't injured by the animal, Abbott said, adding that he can understand why the snake might have been a bit irritable. In their fire prevention classes for youngsters, Oswego firefighters teach kids to crawl low through smoke. It was low enough to stay under most of the smoke.