The snake was found as passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 at Melbourne Airport, according to snake catcher Mark Pelley.

A domestic Virgin Australia flight was delayed for two hours after a stowaway snake was discovered in the plane’s cargo hold. Snake catcher Mark Pelley found the reptile half-hidden in the dimly lit hold as passengers boarded Flight VA337 from Melbourne to Brisbane on Tuesday.

A flight was delayed for two hours after a snake was discovered inside the cargo hold, sparking panic and nearly forcing an evacuation.