Venomous snake escaped from enclosure

Galveston, Texas -- Officials with the Moody Gardens Rainforest in Galveston, Texas, said a venomous snake that disappeared for two days was found on top of its tank.

The officials said they never evacuated or closed the area when the 10-inch African bush viper went missing because they believed it may have simply been hiding within its enclosure, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

However, the snake was found on a metal screen in the ceiling of its enclosure next to a grated light fixture. Officials said they do not know how the snake managed to get out of its enclosure and get into the ceiling.

Animal husbandry manager Greg Whittaker said the experience will likely lead the facility to act with more urgency when an animal cannot be found within its exhibit.

"I think that stepping up our speed at which we completely tear an exhibit apart to find the animal is going to change," Whittaker said. "Part of that will be closing down that area to the public while we do that process."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.