The boa constrictor was in poor shape and the discovery may have saved its life, school officials said.
PRINCETON -- The life of a sickly 4-foot long boa constrictor may have been saved Tuesday when it slithered into a third-grade classroom at Riverside Elementary School in Princeton.
The students discovered the snake in the afternoon and evacuated the room while the school's science teacher removed the reptile, the Princeton schools spokeswoman said.
Boa constrictors are not poisonous and none of the students came into contact with the animal.
Though it came as a shock to school officials and the Princeton Health Department, the incident was actually a happy one, according to the school.
The snake was in poor health and was lucky to be found. "This has been a joyous story for us," Riverside Principal Valerie Ulrich said. "Our discovery saved the snake's life."
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The third graders are accustomed to boa constrictors - since the class is taking care of a female named "Cuddles." The school believe Cuddles' scent might have attracted the stray boa constrictor.
"The teacher used the surprising discovery as a teachable moment and asked the students to write a fictional story imagining where the snake came from," Princeton Schools spokeswoman Brenda Sewell said.
School officials are still trying to figure out where the snake is from, but they believe it's a pet and likely came from a house in the nearby neighborhood.
Following the discovery, the Princeton Health Department contacted the Montgomery Township animal control officer, who came to take the reptile.
It's being cared for in a rescue center in case someone claims it, Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser said. After seven days, it will be up for adoption.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman