Zoo Atlanta Rattlesnake Found Dead

The rattlesnake that had Atlanta on edge for three days was found dead Monday morning on the front porch of a vacant house a few blocks away.

The adult female tiger rattlesnake was discovered missing from its cage Friday. Zoo officials had been looking in vain until Monday morning, when they received a call from someone on Atlanta Avenue who said they spotted the snake.

Zoo visitors over the weekend were unaware that the dangerous reptile was missing.  A Zoo representative, Keisha Hines told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the nocturnal snake was believed to be still inside the building where she was housed, which is not accessible to the public.  Hines said signs warning the public were thus not needed.  She was wrong, and Zoo Atlanta dodged a big bullet with the discovery of the snake this morning. 

Zoo Atlanta needs to conduct an internal investigation right away, and might want to consider looking for a new spokesperson to replace Ms. Hines.

Rattlesnake Escapes Atlanta Zoo

Officials from Zoo Atlanta are looking for an escaped venomous rattlesnake. 

Zoo spokeswoman Keisha N. Hines said workers are "aggressively looking" for an adult female tiger rattlesnake that escaped quarantine Friday. Zoo officials have been working around the clock to capture the venomous creature, she said.

The roughly 2-foot long snake was part of a shipment of confiscated snakes sent to the zoo by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Tiger rattlesnake venom is very potent. If you spot the snake, do not attempt to capture it, but please call Zoo Atlanta at 404-624-5670.

Atlanta is no stranger to animals on the loose.  Zebras, bison, bears, and pitbulls are recent animals that have been on the loose in Metro Atlanta.