An Arizona family made an alarming discovery while getting ready for a dip in the pool - they found a rattlesnake hiding inside a pool noodle.
They say the snake popped out of the noodle when they picked it up.
Even worse, they found a couple of young rattlesnakes still hiding inside.
"Apparently, 2 pool noodles were left outside of the pool up against their cinder block wall," the fire department wrote. "The next time they went to use the pool, the pool noodles were picked up and brought to the swimming pool. Out popped a rattlesnake. The snake did not attack, but was concerned about the pool noodles as there were a couple of young rattlesnakes who were still inside the pool noodle.."
But wranglers say they are not surprised, because during these hot summer months, snakes are looking for cool and dark places to hide.
Experts suggest keeping items like pool noodles put away, and encourage you to check them before using them.
And if you do happen to encounter a rattlesnake -- give it plenty of space and try not to panic. It will likely slither away after it's calmed down.
"One of the worst things you can do when coming across a rattlesnake is to start panicking," according to the department. "Snakes rely on vibrations in the ground to determine where you are. If you start moving fast and abruptly, you’ll only scare the snake more."
Have you ever found a snake hiding somewhere scary?
Have you ever checked your pool noodles? Will you now?
Photo: Getty Images