Snake in the garden: Fire brigade catches corn snake and is looking for owner!
On August 24th, 2025, the Bad Dürkheim fire department captured an escaped corn snake and handed it over to a reptile rescue station.

Snake in the garden: Fire brigade catches corn snake and is looking for owner!
On Sunday afternoon, the Wachenheim fire department was called to a strange operation: In a garden on Am Hüttenwingert street, a corn snake about one meter long was waiting to be rescued. The emergency call, which alerted the emergency services shortly after 12:45 p.m., brought six firefighters in a vehicle into action. The snake, fortunately non-venomous, was probably an escaped or abandoned pet, as corn snakes are not naturally distributed in Europe and have been very popular in terrariums for many years.
The fire brigade proved to be a real team, wearing gloves and safely catching the nimble snake and transporting it to a lockable box. But once the rescue was complete, the question arose: Where can a suitable home be found for the snake found? Thanks to the support of the Bad Dürkheim police, the corn snake was finally handed over to the reptile rescue station in Gossersweiler-Stein, where it can expect the necessary care and a species-appropriate home. The owner of the corn snake is asked to come forward; otherwise the animal will be rehomed after six months.
The corn snake in focus
Corn snakes, also known as Pantherophis guttatus, are not only masters of escaping, but also offer an incredible variety in terms of size and colors. Popular color forms include amelanistic, anerythrist and albino. Anyone thinking about purchasing such a snake will receive comprehensive advice on species-appropriate keeping from the experts at the reptile sanctuary. In order to find the right snake, it is recommended to fill out a questionnaire and submit pictures of the terrarium - this will give you a good feel for the individual needs of the animals.
But there are also a few things to consider when keeping corn snakes. You need a spacious terrarium with enough climbing opportunities and hiding places as well as appropriate lighting and temperature. In addition, the diet should be varied, for example with frozen food such as mice or rats. A good knack for mental stimulation is also required - toys and climbing opportunities promote the snake's well-being.
Responsible handling
It is important to encourage responsible handling of these fascinating reptiles. If you want to give away a corn snake, you have various options: from returning it to the pet store to reptile rescue centers to online platforms or educational institutions. Animal shelters and rescue centers offer a valuable point of contact for animals in need and contribute to the education and training of future owners.
Success stories of corn snake donations show that with a little commitment and research, new, happy owners can be found for the animals. Additionally, active participation in the corn snake community is encouraged to raise awareness of animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership. All of this shows that responsible decisions go beyond animal welfare and also determine the happiness and satisfaction of the new owners.