In a quiet neighborhood in Lattermore, North Carolina, homeowner Mike Green began what seemed like any other morning. The sun had just started to peek through the pines that surrounded his property, and the soft hum of cicadas echoed outside. But within moments, an ordinary day turned into a story that would spread across local media and leave his neighbors checking their bathrooms twice.
Mike recalls stepping into his bathroom with his usual morning routine in mind — coffee brewing in the kitchen, his dog waiting by the door. Then, something caught his attention: a faint rustle, the kind that makes you pause before you even realize why. Looking down, he saw something unexpected — a snake, its glossy scales glinting under the bathroom light, emerging from the water inside his toilet.
“It’s the kind of thing you don’t believe at first,” he later told Inside Edition. “You blink a few times, thinking maybe your eyes are playing tricks on you.”
The moment quickly escalated from confusion to cautious action. Mike wasn’t dealing with his first reptilian visitor. In fact, it was the sixth snake in four years that had made an uninvited appearance through his plumbing system.
When Wildlife Finds Its Way Indoors
Mike’s neighborhood, nestled on the edge of forested areas and open fields, offers a mix of suburban life and natural surroundings. North Carolina’s warm climate and dense tree cover make it home to a wide range of snake species — most harmless, and all playing an important role in the ecosystem.
Wildlife experts note that suburban expansion often brings human homes closer to snake habitats. As neighborhoods grow, snakes adapt — sometimes in surprising ways.
“Snakes don’t go looking for trouble,” says Dr. Karen McMillan, a herpetologist at the University of North Carolina. “They follow food sources and shelter. When their natural environments overlap with human construction, encounters become inevitable.”
Ventilation pipes and roof openings, she explains, can unintentionally serve as pathways. “It’s rare, but not impossible. A snake seeking warmth or a nesting spot might climb trees or vines that reach near a home’s roofline — and from there, it’s a short journey down through the ventilation system.”
That, according to Mike, is precisely how his unwelcome guests arrived. “He came out of a tree that was hanging over the pipe,” Mike said. “It sounds wild, but it’s true.”
The Mystery of the Toilet Snake: How It Happens
For most homeowners, the idea of a snake in the toilet seems like an urban legend — the stuff of internet horror stories or tall tales. But plumbing and wildlife experts confirm that while rare, it can happen under the right conditions.
Every modern home has a system of pipes and vents that connect the plumbing to the outside air. These ventilation pipes, usually found on the roof, help regulate water pressure and prevent sewer gases from entering the home. Unfortunately, they also provide an access point for small creatures — from birds and frogs to, occasionally, snakes.
Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
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A snake climbs a tree or nearby structure that reaches the roof.
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It explores the open end of a ventilation pipe, which can appear to be a potential hiding place or den.
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Once inside, gravity takes over — the snake may slide down the smooth interior of the pipe.
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Eventually, the creature reaches the plumbing line that connects to the toilet bowl, where it may surface.
“It’s not that the snake wants to be in your bathroom,” says plumber James Hollis, who has serviced homes across North Carolina for over 20 years. “They just get stuck in the wrong place and follow the path of least resistance.”
From Fright to Fascination
For many people, even the mention of a snake inside their home can spark panic. But for Mike, repeated encounters turned his initial fear into curiosity. He started researching local snake species and consulting with animal control officers to better understand why this kept happening.
“I learned more about snakes in the past few years than I ever thought I would,” he said with a laugh. “It’s not something I asked for, but you can’t live in fear every day. I just wanted to understand how to prevent it.”
Wildlife officials visiting Mike’s property identified most of the intruders as harmless rat snakes — non-venomous species known for climbing and controlling rodent populations. While intimidating in size, they pose no threat to humans.
“Rat snakes are nature’s pest control,” says Officer Teresa Boyd from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “They help keep ecosystems balanced. Encounters like these are startling, but they remind us of how interconnected we are with nature.”
Why North Carolina Is Seeing More Encounters
North Carolina has always been home to a wide range of reptiles, but recent years have seen an uptick in human-snake interactions. Several factors play into this trend:
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Urban expansion into natural habitats: As more neighborhoods are developed, natural spaces shrink, forcing wildlife to adapt.
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Warmer temperatures: Longer summers extend the active season for snakes, increasing the chances of encounters.
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Rodent population increases: Snakes follow food sources; more mice around homes mean more snakes nearby.
“People are building on land that was once forest or field,” explains Dr. McMillan. “That means wildlife corridors are disrupted. It’s not so much that there are more snakes — they’re just closer to us.”
The Psychological Impact: Fear vs. Understanding
Snakes have long carried symbolic weight in human culture — from ancient mythology to modern media — often as symbols of danger or deceit. This cultural bias, experts say, makes it harder for people to see them as part of a balanced ecosystem.
Psychologist Dr. Evan Richards, who studies human reactions to wildlife, says the fear of snakes is one of the most common phobias worldwide. “It’s deeply rooted in our evolutionary past,” he notes. “But in reality, most snakes are shy and avoid human contact. Education is key to shifting that perception.”
For homeowners like Mike, that education came through firsthand experience. “Once I realized they weren’t out to harm me,” he said, “I started to see them differently. Now I just want to make sure we both stay in our own spaces.”
How Homeowners Can Prevent Snake Intrusions
Mike’s repeated encounters led him to take preventive action — and his story serves as a guide for other homeowners. Here are several expert-recommended steps to reduce the risk of wildlife entering through plumbing or roof systems:
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Inspect roof ventilation pipes regularly.
Make sure the openings are covered with fine wire mesh or specialized vent caps. These allow airflow while keeping animals out. -
Trim overhanging branches.
Trees or vines near your roof create “bridges” for snakes and small animals. Keeping them trimmed adds a layer of protection. -
Seal exterior gaps.
Snakes can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter inch. Caulk around pipes, vents, and foundation cracks. -
Manage your yard environment.
Keep grass trimmed and remove debris piles where rodents or snakes might shelter. -
Control rodent populations.
Since snakes often follow prey, minimizing rodent activity naturally discourages them. -
Call professionals if needed.
If you suspect snakes in your plumbing or attic, contact pest control or wildlife experts instead of handling it yourself.
From Viral Sensation to Teachable Moment
After his story aired on Inside Edition, Mike was surprised by how far it spread. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers reached out with questions and stories of their own encounters. The incident sparked conversations about coexisting with local wildlife, prompting community meetings and educational sessions hosted by local environmental groups.
“It became something bigger than I expected,” Mike admitted. “People weren’t just curious — they wanted to learn how to prevent it. That made sharing my story worthwhile.”
Wildlife officers echoed this sentiment, encouraging public awareness. “When people understand how these situations happen,” said Officer Boyd, “they can take simple steps to avoid them. Fear gives way to responsibility.”
The Broader Lesson: Coexisting With Nature
Stories like Mike Green’s are less about shock value and more about coexistence — learning to live alongside nature rather than against it. As urban areas expand and climate patterns shift, such interactions remind us of how closely connected human and animal worlds remain.
“Every animal has a purpose,” says Dr. McMillan. “Even those that scare us. Snakes play a crucial role in controlling pests and maintaining ecological balance. Our job as homeowners and communities is to respect that balance while keeping our environments safe.”
Mike agrees. “You can’t control nature,” he said, “but you can be smart about how you live with it. That’s the real lesson.”
Conclusion: Awareness, Not Fear
While finding a snake in your toilet may sound like a nightmare, Mike Green’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that unexpected encounters with nature can lead to greater understanding and preparedness. By staying informed and proactive, homeowners can reduce risks while appreciating the wildlife that shares their environment.
Encounters like these reveal that human and animal worlds are not separate, but overlapping — and with the right knowledge, that overlap doesn’t have to be frightening. It can be a lesson in respect, coexistence, and awareness.
As Mike puts it, “I’ll never look at a bathroom the same way again — but I’ll also never look at nature the same way, either.”