Bronx Zoo cobra found in its reptile house

Bronx Zoo cobra found in its reptile house

In this photo released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo’s once missing Egyptian Cobra is seen at the Bronz Zoo’s Reptile House, Thursday, March 31, 2011, in New York. After nearly a week after escaping from its cage, the venomous snake was found alive, coiled in a dark Reptile House corner.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A poisonous Egyptian cobra that disappeared from a Bronx Zoo exhibit was found Thursday after nearly a week on the lam, zoo officials said.

The 24-inch snake was found coiled in a dark corner of the zoo's reptile house, said zoo director Jim Breheny.

"As you can imagine, we are delighted to report that the snake has been found alive and well," he said.

The reptile house had closed last Friday after the snake disappeared and zoo workers couldn't find her.

The snake quickly became the stuff of urban legend. Someone even started pretending to be the cobra on Twitter and sent fake updates to legions of followers.

Breheny said the snake was "resting comfortably and secure" and was being evaluated to make sure she was in good condition.

He said zoo workers put out wood chips that had been used as bedding for mice in order to lure the 3-ounce snake out of hiding.

"We were fairly confident that she would come out and she did," Breheny said.

Breheny said the zoo is evaluating its protocols to make sure the snake doesn't escape again. Zoo officials hope to reopen the reptile house next week.