<script type=’text/javascript’ src=’http://KFMB.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=49628;hostDomain=www.cbs8.com;playerWidth=620;playerHeight=350;isShowIcon=true;clipId=11013821;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay’></script><a href=”http://www.cbs8.com” title=”CBS News 8 – San Diego, CA News Station – KFMB Channel 8″>CBS News 8 – San Diego, CA News Station – KFMB Channel 8</a>

SAN DIEGO — Officials in San Diego are trying to sort out how a 5 1/2-foot snake wound up in a toilet at an office building.

Stephanie Lacsa told San Diego County authorities she noticed the water level in the toilet was higher than usual when she went to the second-floor restroom Tuesday. When she plunged it, a snake popped up and flicked its tongue.

Lasca, who works at a G Street marketing and public relations company, fled and used adhesive tape to seal the door of the bathroom shut.

The department says an animal control officer found a giant Columbian rainbow boa constrictor on the floor. The snake was shedding and slightly underweight.

It was taken to an animal care facility and bit a handler.

CBS affiliate KFMB reports that if no one claims the snake, it will be turned over to a group that specializes in caring for abandoned reptiles.

How it got in the toilet remains a mystery.