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title: Snake in Christmas Tree PHOTO
description: An Australian snake did its best partridge in a pear tree impression by hiding in a Christmas tree
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# Snake in Tree Makes For Worst Christmas Surprise Ever

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by 

[Melissa Locker](https://time.com/author/melissa-locker/)


## Melissa Locker


Dec 19, 2016 8:06 PM UTC

by 

[Melissa Locker](https://time.com/author/melissa-locker/)


## Melissa Locker


Dec 19, 2016 8:06 PM UTC

An [Australian](http://time.com/4243192/australian-man-pet-snake-swimming/?iid=sr-link6) woman found an extra special ornament on her Christmas tree—a live tiger [snake](http://time.com/4561535/snake-plane-mexico/?iid=sr-link1).

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](http://time.com/4468261/britney-spears-snake-mtv-vma/?iid=sr-link3) catcher Barry Goldsmith could come take care of Santa’s little cold-blooded helper. According to Goldsmith’s [Snake](http://time.com/4339867/copperhead-snake-bites-customer-at-lowes/?iid=sr-link9) Catcher Victoria’s [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/Snakecatchervictoria/posts/1445526832143830:0), “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](http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/%5F%5Fdata/assets/pdf%5Ffile/0008/205865/TigerSnake.pdf) 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](http://time.com/4461569/python-loose-maine-10-feet/?iid=sr-link4) to a better environment in which to celebrate Christmas).

\[H/T [Mashable](http://mashable.com/2016/12/18/snake-christmas-tree-australia/?utm%5Fcid=hp-h-5#8ujfT.EbMqq1)\]

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