Horrified man finds something unbelievable in a bag of broccoli he purchased from Aldi...
Live snake found in bag of broccoli: 'Pretty frightening,' says grandfather
A man and his family were shocked to find a live snake inside a bag of broccoli
A grandfather received a scare when he opened a bag of broccoli — and found a live snake tucked inside it.
Neville Linton, 63, said discovering the young ladder snake, which is capable of a nasty bite, was a "frightening" experience, as SWNS, the British news service, reported of the incident.
He said he bought the broccoli from an Aldi branch in Stourbridge, West Midlands, in the U.K., on June 2.
He put it in the refrigerator before taking it out to prepare a meal three days later, he told SWNS.
That's when he spotted the snake.
This is the package of broccoli that the grandfather opened — with the live ladder snake tucked inside it. "I'm not good with snakes," said Neville Linton. (SNWS)
Linton, who works in industrial cleaning, said he's afraid of snakes — so relatives jumped to his aid and scooped up the reptile.
Said Linton, a grandfather of one from Birmingham, "It was pretty frightening. I'm not good with snakes."
When he unwrapped the vegetable on his kitchen counter, he saw a little creature tucked up near the stem of the broccoli.
He added, "It's lucky I didn't just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it would have been loose in the house. That would have been a huge risk for us because we have two vulnerable people living here."
He bought the broccoli as part of his regular weekly grocery shopping rounds, he said.
When he unwrapped the vegetable on his kitchen counter, he saw a little creature tucked up near the stem of the broccoli, he said.
The ladder snake can be seen nestled between the broccoli stems inside the package. On the right, Neville Linton (far right), is shown with his son, Donovan Linton. The family drove the discovery back to the grocery store. (SWNS)
Realizing it was too big to be a caterpillar, he said he called for his sister, Ann-Marie Tenkanemin, 57, who identified it as a snake.
The pair popped it in a plastic container — and drove it back to the Aldi store where it had been purchased.
"I backed off when I saw it start moving."
He said, "I thought she was joking at first, but I backed off when I saw it start moving. The guy in the shop was pretty frightened, too."
At the Dudley Zoo, a specialist identified the snake as a young ladder snake, said Neville Linton's 41-year-old son, Donovan Linton.
The elder Linton said he's been offered some compensation, but he said he is asking for more.
Donovan Linton (left), along with his dad, Neville Linton. Said the elder Linton, "I'm phobic of snakes, so there's the emotional impact of that, too." (SNWS)
The dad of three said the amount offered to him does not compensate for the risk to his disabled son and his vulnerable mother-in-law, who both live with him.
He added, "It's just not good enough — the implications for us if it had [gotten] out in the house are huge."
He also said, "Plus, I'm phobic of snakes, so there's the emotional impact of that, too."
"We are investigating this isolated incident."
An Aldi spokesperson told SNWS, "Our supplier has never had a complaint of this nature and has robust processes in place to prevent such issues occurring. We are investigating this isolated incident and have apologized to Mr. Linton that our usual high standards were not met."
Ladder snakes are not venomous.
They're found mostly in Portugal, Spain, southern France and parts of Italy.
If you enter this room, which chair would you sit in?
Personality Test: If You Enter This Room, Which Chair Would You Sit In?
In the image, there is a long table in a warm, elegant room with nine chairs placed around it.
A man is already seated at the head of the table, which subtly changes the dynamics of the seating arrangement.
Each chair offers a slightly different perspective of the room, the person present, and the surrounding environment.
Your choice may reflect your personality, your social behavior, and even how you handle authority or relationships with others.
Chair 1 – The Observer and Strategic Thinker
If you choose chair number 1, you are likely someone who prefers to observe before participating.
This seat is slightly distant but still within view of everything happening in the room.
People who select this position tend to be thoughtful and analytical.
They like to understand the situation before fully engaging.
You may be someone who values awareness and prefers to evaluate people’s intentions and personalities before forming close connections.
This cautious approach often makes you a good problem solver because you gather information carefully before making decisions.
Chair 2 – The Friendly Communicator
Choosing chair number 2 suggests that you are a naturally social person who enjoys conversation and connection.
This seat places you close enough to interact comfortably without appearing too dominant.
People who choose this chair often value relationships and communication.
You likely enjoy sharing ideas, listening to others, and building trust within groups.
Your personality may be warm and approachable, which makes people feel comfortable around you.
You are the kind of person who often becomes the bridge between different personalities in a group.
Chair 3 – The Balanced Personality
Chair number 3 often attracts people who seek balance and harmony.
This position allows a good view of both sides of the table while maintaining a comfortable distance from the head seat.
Individuals who choose this chair tend to be practical, fair-minded, and emotionally stable.
You likely prefer peaceful environments and dislike unnecessary conflict.
In group settings, you might act as the mediator who listens to everyone and tries to create solutions that benefit the whole group.
Chair 4 – The Independent Thinker
If you choose chair number 4, you probably value independence and personal space.
This seat places you slightly away from the central interaction area, allowing you to participate while still maintaining distance.
People who prefer this chair often think deeply and value their autonomy.
You may not feel the need to constantly be in the spotlight, but you are confident in your ideas and opinions.
Others might see you as calm, thoughtful, and self-reliant.
Chair 5 – The Quiet Observer
Chair number 5 is slightly separated from the rest of the group, which can indicate a more introverted or reflective personality.
If you choose this seat, you may prefer calm environments where you can observe interactions rather than dominate them.
This does not mean you are shy; rather, you likely enjoy thinking before speaking.
People with this personality often possess strong intuition and emotional intelligence.
You might notice subtle details about people and situations that others miss.
Chair 6 – The Practical Realist
Selecting chair number 6 may suggest that you are practical and focused on efficiency.
This seat offers a good view of the room without placing you directly in the center of attention.
People who choose this position often prioritize comfort and practicality over social symbolism.
You likely approach life with a realistic mindset and prefer clear goals and logical solutions.
Others may see you as dependable, responsible, and calm under pressure.
Chair 7 – The Confident Participant
Chair number 7 places you relatively close to the head of the table, which can indicate confidence and willingness to engage with authority or leadership.
If this is your choice, you may be someone who enjoys being involved in important conversations and decisions.
You likely have strong opinions and are not afraid to express them respectfully.
People with this personality type often display ambition and determination.
They enjoy opportunities where they can contribute their ideas and influence outcomes.
Chair 8 – The Ambitious Personality
Choosing chair number 8 may reflect a personality that is comfortable with leadership or responsibility.
This seat is close to the head position and near the warmth of the fireplace, symbolizing both influence and comfort.
Individuals who choose this chair often possess a strong sense of ambition and self-confidence.
You may enjoy challenges and seek opportunities where you can prove your abilities.
Others might view you as motivated, driven, and capable of taking initiative in complex situations.
Chair 9 – The Natural Leader
If you choose chair number 9, you may have natural leadership qualities.
This seat is directly opposite the person already seated at the head of the table, placing you in a position that suggests equality or confidence in your own authority. People who select this chair are often comfortable with responsibility and are not intimidated by powerful personalities.
You may be someone who values independence, courage, and direct communication.
Others may see you as someone who can guide discussions, influence decisions, and inspire confidence in those around you.
Why These Choices Reveal Personality
Psychologists often explain that our environmental choices are influenced by subconscious preferences.
Humans instinctively seek positions that match their comfort level with visibility, authority, and social interaction.
Some individuals prefer positions where they can observe quietly, while others feel comfortable sitting closer to leadership roles.
These choices are shaped by past experiences, personality traits, and emotional tendencies.
Body language experts also suggest that where a person sits can reflect how they see themselves within a group.
Sitting closer to the center may indicate confidence and willingness to participate actively, while sitting farther away may reflect introspection or a desire for personal space.
Neither choice is better or worse; each simply represents different ways people interact with the world.
It is important to remember that personality tests like this are meant for reflection and entertainment rather than strict psychological diagnosis.
Human personality is complex and cannot be defined by a single decision.
However, these small choices can sometimes highlight patterns in how we approach social situations, leadership, and communication.
In the end, the chair you choose may reveal subtle aspects of your personality: whether you are a leader, a thinker, a communicator, or an observer. Every position offers its own perspective, just as every personality brings unique strengths to the world.
