The Israeli parliament had an unusual visitor on Wednesday. A non-venomous snake was found slithering along in the Knesset’s Chagall State Hall, where state ceremonies are usually held.
The reptile — a black-headed ground snake, or Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus — was happened upon by David Zviel, the adviser to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, who was also accompanied by his young son.
Zviel uploaded a photo of the snake to his Facebook page and jokingly advised followers to henceforth wear high-ankled boots from on the premises.
The snake is native to countries in the eastern Mediterranean as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia.
Security guards caught the snake and released it into the surrounding park.
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The Knesset is currently on summer recess.
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