Man found dead in Aliquippa, house contained more than 150 reptiles and venomous snakes

ALIQUIPPA ― A man was found dead Tuesday in a McMinn Street home containing more than 150 exotic reptiles, many of them venomous, and a dwarf crocodile.

It remained unclear Wednesday how the 23-year-old, whose name was not released, died. Officials said the man did appear to have a snake bite wound, but these marks were old and not the cause of his death.

First responders were called to the rental home on a report of an unconscious man and found the body along with at least 60 venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes, cobras and black mambas. The Beaver County Humane Society later identified the crocodilian found at the scene, to be a dwarf caiman crocodile.

Reports indicate the property's residents, which contained adults from several states, sold the reptiles and had recently moved to the area to do business. Police also reported they found a 3-year-old girl in a high chair near the venomous snakes, which required them to call the Beaver County Bureau of Child and Family Services.

After the incident, the venomous reptiles were moved to Ambridge's Off the Hook Exotic Pets, which works with the Beaver County Humane Society. At this time, occupants are still being permitted to stay in the home with several non-venomous snakes and lizards, but the possession of the exotic reptiles did violate Aliquippa's city code and could bring fines to these residents, authorities said.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Man found dead in Aliquippa, house containing venomous snakes, crocodile