A man stands next to two Chinese rat snakes removed from a Chongqing coach bus that was heading to Shenzhen on October 6. Highway police at toll station of Jianli county, Hubei Province discovered more than 300 snakes and 10 badgers hidden among baggage on a bus carrying 27 passengers. Photo: Chutian Metropolis Daily

Highway police in Jianli county, Hubei Province search five bamboo baskets containing over 250 kilograms of snakes and 10 badgers stored among luggage on a coach bus heading to Shenzhen on October 6. Photo: Chutian Metropolis Daily

Highway police in Jianli county, Hubei Province confiscated more than 300 snakes and 10 badgers being smuggled on a long-distance bus after two snakes escaped into the cabin on October 6.

Inspectors at the Jingyue Bridge toll booth discovered five bamboo baskets filled with over 250 kilograms of Chinese rat snakes and 10 badgers in the baggage compartment below during a routine check.

The bus, which was en route from Chongqing to Shenzhen, was carrying 27 passengers when two snakes measuring a meter long found their way into the middle stairwell.

There was little panic as most passengers were asleep at the time, and were only awoken after officers removed the snakes using a mop.

"It is really terrifying to think I could have been bitten by them even though they are not poisonous," said a passenger surnamed Li who was seated nearest to the two snakes.

The bus driver claims he was only charged with transporting the animals, and the owner was not among the passengers. Highway police let him off with a warning.

According to authorities, the confiscated animals were released and the case has been handed over to local forestry officials, who are now investigating suspects involved in illegally transporting and selling wildlife.

Chutian Metropolis Daily