Poisonous snake found in watermelon seed container

Officials to explain how poisonous snake from Israel wound up in N.S.

HALIFAX (CP) - Officials have revealed that a half-metre-long poisonous snake wound up being shipped from Israel to Nova Scotia in a container of watermelon seeds.

The Palestine viper was found last fall in a six-metre container shipped to the Port of Halifax and on Wednesday, officials will try to explain how the potentially dangerous freeloader arrived here.

Officials with Environment Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency plan to put the snake on display and talk to the media about the potential hazards of shipments from overseas.

The snake, which was euthanized as a safety precaution after its discovery, was to be on display at the Museum of Natural History.

Other poisonous snakes that have hitched rides to Nova Scotia were also expected to be on display, although none of the creatures would be alive.

Officials planned to talk about the importance of informing the public and consumers of dangerous creatures that may go unnoticed - until a shipment is opened.

Unwanted, stowaway creatures are not uncommon in containers shipped from outside Canada.

Two years ago in New Brunswick, a couple of children unpacking groceries at home found a black widow spider hidden among some grapes.

The potentially deadly arachnid had apparently hitched a ride to a Caraquet, N.B., grocery store from California - something not uncommon since some U.S. grape growers started using spiders for pest-control.

"I think this is the kind of thing we're going to see more often as people demand organic, pesticide-free food," said Rene Chiasson, assistant store manager, in December 2004.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has since advised consumers to watch for the distinctive, shiny, black spiders, when handling grapes - especially red seedles grapes from California.