GLASGOW locals have been left in stitches after a worried resident reckoned she’d spotted a dead snake down a drain – only to find it was in fact pieces of polystyrene.
The anonymous woman took to social media on Saturday to share her concerns after glancing down a drain and making the find.
The horrified passerby asked for some second opinions after peering closer into the water and spotting what looked like a mass of green scales.
However, she was soon left red-faced after Glaswegians pointed out that the tragic reptile was actually just chunks of discoloured polystyrene.
An image snapped by the woman shows the interior of the drain from above, which is filled with frothy water.
In the water float a variety of objects, including a packet of discarded Space Raiders crisps and the wrapper from a Cadbury’s bar.
Next to the litter though, floats an unusual mass – since identified as the polystyrene -which is a dark yellowish green in colour.
The polystyrene’s texture gives it the appearance of scales, and pokes up from the water in different chunks, resembling the winding body of a snake bobbing up and down.
The frantic would-be reptile rescuer shared the image on social media on Saturday with the caption: “So I think I’ve found a dead snake in street drain/sewer (not sure what you call it).
“Is it common here in Glasgow? I’m not from Scotland and I’ve never seen any snakes here before, but it really looks like one.”
The woman’s post has since gained a host of comments from Glaswegians who reassured her that she needn’t worry, whilst others playfully branded her a “numpty”.
One user wrote: “Definitely not a snake, their scales are more diamond shaped than circular, though I appreciate your concern for our reptilian pals.
“My guess is mouldy/algae covered polystyrene.”
Another agreed: “I can see how someone could mistake them for scales on an initial glance, but yeah. Definitely not a snake.”
A third wrote: “Polystyrene that’s picked up colour.”
Another replied: “That’s polystyrene you numpty.”
A fifth commented: “I’m going to be honest, I don’t think that’s a snake – it kind of looks like Styrofoam.”
Having been told she could rest easy, the reassured woman replied with a laughing emoji, writing: “Polystyrene? Um… but it looked so snaky in real life.”
