A slithery mystery has been solved at the Cedar Falls Public Library. It’s the story of a wandering reptile named Skeeze. The one-year-old red albino corn snake was brought to the library last summer as part of a children’s reading program on animals. He’s been a popular attraction for kids ever since.

But early last month, Skeeze vanished from his cage without a trace and library staff have been searching the building ever since. Visitors too. Someone even offered a $100 reward, but with no clues, the mystery of Skeeze’s disappearance remained unsolved. That is until this week, when a maintenance worker found the two-foot-long snake curled up under a chair. Library staff are elated Skeeze has been found.

They’re taking steps to make sure the snake doesn’t escape again. An anonymous donor is promising to give the library a new cage — one that’s designed especially for Skeeze. While the slithery mystery of Skeeze’s disappearance won’t be turned into a book, it will become a learning experience for children. The library plans to hold a writing competition on "Skeeze’s Spring Break Escape" in the coming days. 

Audio: Elwin Huffman report. :53 MP3