FORT WORTH (October 30, 2012)—A deputy has removed an unwelcome visitor from a North Texas jail.

Cpl. Mike McNicholas of the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office helped remove the 5-foot-long rat snake from some overhead pipe space after an inmate at the county's Greenbay jail facility spotted the reptile above his cell.

McNicholas said the snake probably got into the jail through exhaust fans or air conditioning ducts.

He said he thinks the snake couldn't get back out and would have starved if not helped.

McNicholas carried the snake to a vacant lot near the jail and freed it near a creek.