UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. -- A sewer maintenance worker said he was surprised to find out that the 4½-foot snake he discovered while doing sewer work at a Pierce County plant this week was real.

The worker at Chambers Creek Wastewater Plant, Jason Robinson, was performing some monthly maintenance at the plant when he opened the cover of a screening device and discovered the snake.

Robinson said he thought the snake was fake and touched it with his radio's antenna, flicking its tail.

"The snake awoke and stood up, assumed the strike position and began watching everyone closely. Jason carefully moved away from what was later determined to be a white corn snake. Supervisor Scott Roth arrived and walked up to get a look, and the snake struck at him. It made him jump a little, and everyone backed off a bit after that," said Chief Plant Operator Steve Hanenburg.

"I've seen many things come into wastewater treatment plants during the past 33 years, but this was a first," Hanenburg said.

Other employees gathered to look and take photos.

The snake was removed with a rake, placed in a bucket and turned over to University Place Community Service Officer Travis Lyons. Lyons' office kept the snake for a day and a half to see if a snake rescue organization or zoo would take it.

"I have been called to pick up snakes twice before, but they came out of toilets," Lyons said.

The snake was ultimately turned over to the Humane Society.

According to the Woodland Park Zoo Web site, Corn snakes belong to the largest snake family and except for a few species, are primarily non-venomous. Some species are equipped with fangs but are scarcely dangerous to humans.

Corn snakes range from southern Pennsylvania south to Florida, and west to south Louisiana. Small pockets of corn snakes are found in Kentucky, the site said.

The snakes come in a wide variety of colors and are popular as pets.