Family Decorating Christmas Tree Finds Venomous Snake Among Decoration [Watch]

A family in South Africa decorating their Christmas tree was in for a surprise when a venomous snake slithered out from it.

In a video captured by the homeowner, the snake could be seen slithering among the branches of the Christmas tree decorated with between tinsels and baubles and taking note of its surroundings. The incident occurred on Dec. 10 at a farm near McGregor, in the Western Cape.

The homeowners immediately called snake rescuer Gerri Heyns and sent him a photo of the snake. "Now this is a first for me! They sent me two photos and I couldn't believe my eyes! Yes … Boomslang in their Christmas tree!" Heyns said, according to News24.

Boomslangs are one of the most venomous snakes found in South Africa and can grow up to 5 feet. One bite could prove fatal if left untreated.

Heyns traveled 62 km (38.5 miles) from his home to the rural farm of the family to help with the reptile. He advised the family to keep an eye on the snake — a female boomslang that can open its jaw wide -- but not agitate it, the local paper SA People reported. When Heyns reached the house, the snake had made the tree home.

"It was a rural farm area and it took me about 90 minutes to get there. When I got there the snake was still in the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, she got safely removed and I will release her tomorrow," Heyns wrote in a Facebook post.

In the video, Heyns could be seen using snake-catching tongs to pry the snake out of the tree. Initially, the reptile escapes his clutches and attempts to hide behind the family’s couch. But, Heyns safely rescues the Boomslang. "I've got it, don't worry," Heyns said to the frightened family.

Heyns released the snake back into the wild the next day.

The rescue received some jubilant responses from viewers. One commenter on the post wrote, "When your 6-year-old wrote their Christmas list all by their own self but couldn’t spell 'boomerang.'"

Earlier this month, police rescued a red-tail boa from a residence in Florida after the homeowner found the reptile hiding deep inside the couch he recently bought.