5 1/2-foot snake pops out of clogged toilet in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KABC) -- An employee in a San Diego office building who was plunging a clogged toilet was surprised when a 5 1/2-foot snake popped up.

Stephanie Lacsa said she noticed the water level in the toilet at a second-floor bathroom seemed a little higher, so she got out the plunger.

Once she started plunging, the snake began to slither out and flicked its tongue.

Lacsa ran out, taped the door shut and called Animal Services.

"As soon as I realized that that was a snake, I booked it out of there, plunger still in hand, and screamed all the way to my desk," Lacsa said.

Officials identified the snake as a giant Columbian rainbow boa. It was shedding and was slightly underweight.

The snake was taken to the Gaines Street animal care facility, where it bit a handler.

It's unclear how the snake got in the toilet. If no one claims the snake by Friday, it will go to a rescue group.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.