Aldi Shopper Horrified After Finding Live Snake in Bag of Broccoli
A 63-year-old man from Birmingham, UK, got far more than he bargained for when he opened a bag of supermarket broccoli and discovered a live snake curled up inside.
A Shocking Discovery in the Kitchen
Neville Linton had bought the bag of broccoli during a routine trip to an Aldi supermarket to refill his refrigerator. The purchase seemed completely ordinary—until three days later.
When he finally removed the plastic packaging on his kitchen counter, he spotted something coiled among the broccoli stems. After looking closer, he realized it was a snake—and it was still alive.
Linton, who is terrified of snakes, said the moment was deeply unsettling:
“It was really frightening. I’m no good with snakes. It’s lucky I didn’t just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it could have been loose in the house.”
Sister Steps In, Store Manager Shocked
Linton works in industrial cleaning and openly admits he is scared of snakes. Fortunately, his 57-year-old sister, Ann-Marie Tenkanemin, was there to help.
Together, they carefully placed the broccoli, snake and all, into a tub and took it back to the same Aldi branch where he had bought it.
The reaction at the store was immediate.
“At first, I thought my sister was joking,” Linton recalled. “But I stepped back fast when I saw it start moving. The guy in the shop was pretty scared too.”
Experts Identify the Intruder
Later, Linton and his 41-year-old son, Donovan, transported the reptile to Dudley Zoo so that specialists could identify it.
Zoo staff confirmed that the animal was a young ladder snake. While not venomous, they warned that it is capable of delivering a painful bite.
Safety Concerns and Dispute Over Compensation
Linton says Aldi offered him some compensation, but he feels the incident is more serious than the offer reflects—especially because he lives with vulnerable family members, including his disabled son and his mother-in-law.
Worried about what could have happened if the snake had escaped, he explained:
“That would have been a huge risk for us because we have two vulnerable people living here. It’s just not good enough. If it had got out in the house, the consequences could have been massive. And on top of that, I have a snake phobia, so there’s the emotional impact as well.”
Aldi Responds to the Incident
According to the store, no similar complaints have been reported by other customers. Aldi says it is reviewing its procedures to prevent anything like this from happening again and to reassure shoppers about food safety.
An Aldi spokesperson stated:
“Our supplier has never had a complaint of this nature and has robust processes in place to prevent such issues from occurring. We are investigating this isolated incident and have apologized to Mr. Linton that our usual high standards were not met.”
What Is a Ladder Snake?
Donovan Linton said a specialist at Dudley Zoo identified the reptile as a juvenile ladder snake, a species that can look intimidating but is non-venomous.
Where Ladder Snakes Live
Ladder snakes are native to parts of Europe and are commonly found in:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Some regions of Italy
- Parts of France
They prefer mild climates and habitats that offer plenty of low cover and hiding spots, such as:
- Hedges and scrubland
- Wooded areas and forests
- Vineyards and orchards
- Rodent burrows and hollow trees
- Rocky areas and boulder fields
Behavior and Diet
Ladder snakes tend to be:
- Solitary
- Defensive and aggressive when threatened
To deter predators, they may:
- Snap with their sharp teeth
- Release a strong, unpleasant odor
Although they are carnivores, they do not actively hunt humans. Instead, their diet typically includes:
- Small rodents, such as mice and young rabbits
- Birds and eggs
- Lizards
- Spiders
- Various insects
The stowaway snake found in Linton’s broccoli has now been safely rehomed at Dudley Zoo, where it is being cared for by professionals—far away from any kitchen counters.
