A couple in their village home in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, experienced a scare on Monday when they spotted a highly venomous king cobra snake on their computer desk.
A snake catcher was called to safely collect the reptile, which measured about one metre (3.3 feet) in length. According to a police spokesman, the snake will be released back into the wild.
The force said it received a report at 1.41am that the snake had entered the house on To Shek Street.
The male resident of the flat shared what he called a horrifying experience on the social media platform Threads, saying his girlfriend was shocked when she spotted the snake on the computer desk behind some cables right before going to bed.
He said he called police and they waited for about 45 minutes for the snake catcher to arrive.
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Snake handler Ivan Li Yat-long, who was not involved in the capture on Monday, said it was rare to see a king cobra sneak into a house.
The snakes can release a huge dose of neurotoxin through a single bite, which can be fatal.
Li reminded people to call police immediately if a snake entered their home, and advised they not disturb the reptile but watch it while waiting for a snake catcher to arrive.
Ensuring a flat was not cluttered could also prevent snakes from seeking out a resting place inside a flat, he added.
King cobras are found on Lantau Island and in the New Territories, he said, adding they could grow to three to four metres in length.
He said it was rare for king cobras to enter houses, although cases had been recorded.
“These snakes usually enter houses through windows and sewer pipes,” he added.