( CNN ) -- Call it a `` Grande '' surprise . Snakes in unexpected places can startle anyone . For Bruce Ahlswede the unexpected place was a San Antonio Starbucks bathroom , where he had stopped on Tuesday after a business presentation . He froze for a moment thinking the snake , lying across the toilet , was a toy left by a prankster . Then it started to move . He backed out of the room and found a store employee . `` I said 'Hey you 've got a snake in your bathroom and she 's kind of freaking out , ' `` Ahlswede told CNN affiliate KSAT . Bruce , his wife and store employees all crowded into the bathroom and watched as the snake , perhaps just as surprised as the rest , slithered around the toilet bowl and disappeared , the station reported . Ahlswede 's wife , Michele , managed to snap a photo . She promptly posted it to Facebook . `` It had to have crawled up the pipes , '' Michele wrote on her page . `` I have heard of it happening but have never seen it in person . Its a python guess he like coffee also . '' KSAT consulted a snake expert who told them it was likely a non-poisonous rat snake . A website for the University of Austin Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center describes rat snakes as similar-looking to pythons that have reached 7 feet in length . The site says the snakes pose no threat to humans . `` A lot of people were really freaked out and some said 'thanks a lot , '' Michelle Ahlswede told KSAT . KSAT reports the South Texas Herpetology Association responded to the store at Starbuck 's request . Starbucks issued a statement to KSAT confirming the store is safe , even though store employees tell the Ahlswede 's the snake was n't caught . The couple says despite the encounter they plan on remaining Starbuck 's customers . Michele Ahlswede also says she 'll be double-checking every toilet from now on .
Lars Ahlswede surprised to find snake in Starbucks store . Police say it was likely a non - poisonous rat snake . He issues statement saying it is safe .