'Emotional Support' Boa Constrictor Found In Bag At Florida Airport

TAMPA, FL — Authorities at Tampa International Airport were rattled last month when a woman attempted to bring her "emotional support" boa constrictor with her on her flight, according to Transportation Security Administration officials.

TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said Bartholomew the 4-foot-long boa constrictor was found in the woman's carry-on bag at a Tampa airport security checkpoint. When asked, the woman said he was her emotional support pet.

Authorities notified the airline, which refused to let her board with the snake, authorities said.

According to TSA officials, snakes are never allowed in carry-on bags but are allowed to slither through in checked bags as long as they're packaged correctly.

In 2020, officials ruled that travelers would no longer be allowed to bring emotional support animals on planes, according to CBS News. Service animals, defined as dogs trained to help people with disabilities or other health needs, are still allowed.

While the thought of a boa constrictor on a plane might be absolutely hissssterical to some, Bartholomew likely isn't the strangest thing travelers have tried to sneak onto planes.

In August, Twitter user Elijah Burke captured Clark the bald eagle perched on a man's gloved arm, patiently waiting to pass through security at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

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Arguably, Bartholomew and Clark would be considered non-alarming when it comes to the list of strange items spotted at airport security.

Earlier this month, the TSA released a video detailing the Top 10 strangest items found at airport checkpoints in 2022. The list included drugs hidden in a hair scrunchie, an electric cattle prod and a knife hidden in a laptop.

Bartholomew also wasn't the only animal turned away from flying the friendly skies. In 2018, a woman tried (unsuccessfully) to bring her emotional-support peacock onboard a plane. Others have tried to sneak snakes, penguins and even a very large spider on their flights.