Snake in Tree Makes For Worst Christmas Surprise Ever

An Australian woman found an extra special ornament on her Christmas tree—a live tiger snake.

The toxic critter was doing its best imitation of a partridge in her pear tree, loitering among the branches of the woman’s Christmas tree in her living room on the outskirts of Melbourne. After spotting the snake, the woman snapped a photo of it and then sealed off the room until professional snake catcher Barry Goldsmith could come take care of Santa’s little cold-blooded helper. According to Goldsmith’s Snake Catcher Victoria’s Facebook post, “20 minutes later [he] had the little bugger in a bag.” Hopefully to be sent straight back to the North Pole in time for Christmas.

As Mashable noted, the tiger snake is a protected species in Australia, so if you find yourself in a similar situation, do not panic and decide to burn down the entire Christmas tree. Instead, keep the endangered animal safe and simply move to another country (or call a professional to take the snake to a better environment in which to celebrate Christmas).

[H/T Mashable]