For most of us, the bathroom is a sanctuary of privacy and calm—the one room where you can be sure you’re alone. But in certain corners of the world, this assumption can lead to a shocking and dangerous surprise. Imagine the scene: a quiet evening, a routine visit to the restroom, and as you settle in, a sudden, sharp strike from the bowl. This isn’t the plot of a horror movie; it’s a real, though rare, hazard that has left victims with serious injuries and lasting trauma.

The journeys these snakes take to end up in such an improbable place are feats of determined exploration. They don’t materialize out of thin air. In search of water, prey like rodents, or simply a cool, dark refuge, they navigate a hidden network. They enter through roof vents left uncovered, squeeze through gaps in bathroom foundations, or, most notoriously, swim upward through sewer lines and drainage pipes. This risk climbs during rainy seasons in tropical and subtropical regions, when floods can drive snakes from their burrows and into the pipes of nearby homes.

The resulting encounters read like dispatches from a bizarre and frightening world:

• In Thailand, a man endured a bite on his testicles from a 12-foot python that had coiled itself within the toilet bowl.

• A Dutch tourist in South Africa faced a life-threatening emergency when a highly venomous Cape cobra struck in an outdoor restroom, causing severe genital injuries.

• Even in Texas, a woman was bitten by a non-venomous rat snake that had made its way up through the plumbing.

• In Australia, another woman suffered a bite to the thigh from a carpet python that had taken up residence in her toilet.

While all these victims survived, their ordeals didn’t end with the bite. Some required complex surgery to repair tissue damage, and many needed psychological support to overcome the lingering fear and violation of such a personal space.

So, what can you do if you live in or are traveling to an area where this is a known possibility? Experts emphasize that caution is your first and best defense. A simple, life-saving habit is to always check the toilet bowl before use, especially at night or in rarely used bathrooms. Keeping toilet lids closed when not in use and ensuring bathroom vents and pipes are sealed with fine mesh can block these sneaky entry points.

The next time you hear a faint splash that isn’t from the tap, remember—in some places, it’s not just the water making waves. It pays to look before you sit.