Look: Snake escapes winter cold by invading British Columbia home

Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Wildlife experts in British Columbia are caring for a great basin gopher snake that decided to invade a resident's home instead of going to sleep for the winter.

Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society said the snake, which is native to the area, was found awake and active inside an Okanagan home at the time of year when most of its fellow reptiles are in an inactive state of brumation, a cold-blooded creature's version of hibernation.

Eva Hartmann, founder of the nonprofit, said the rehabilitation center had to receive special permission from provincial authorities to care for the serpent, as great basin gopher snakes are considered to be a threatened species.

The rehabilitation center said the snake will be released outside near the home where it was found once temperatures are warm enough for it to survive.