A Bazetta Township resident has had a long and slithery guest living in her yard for the past several years.

21 News caught up with Bazetta Township resident Heather Shaffer who tells us a snake has been living in a tree in her yard for the past several years. Shaffer tells us she initially thought the snake to have been four to five feet long, but upon closer inspection believes it to be even longer.

Shaffer tells 21 News the snake can sometimes be seen on sunbathing or slithering up and down the tree on sunny days.

Shaffer says there were originally two of these snakes living in her yard, but one of them was killed by a car a few years back. 

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), this is a Gray Ratsnake, which are common in most regions of Ohio aside from the northwest region.

The Gray Ratsnake can often be found in high trees taking shelter in woodpecker holes and other cavities.