Venemous Rattlesnake Escapes From Atlanta Zoo

A spokeswoman for Zoo Atlanta says a rattlesnake that escaped quarantine over the weekend could be in the same building where it got out.

Keisha N. Hines says the venomous tiger rattlesnake, which escaped Friday, is about two feet long and was part of a shipment of confiscated snakes sent to the zoo by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Hines says the snake is nocturnal, which may make it easier to find at night. The building where the snake may be is not accessible to the public.

Zoo officials warn that venom from a tiger rattlesnake is very potent and anyone who sees the snake should call the zoo at 404-624-5670, but not attempt to capture it.

Tiger rattlesnakes are native to Arizona and northwest Mexico.