Lansing, Michigan: A woman stole a boa constrictor from a pet store by slipping the snake down her pants, the owner said.

The animal was stolen on Thursday from Preuss Animal House in Lansing.

"I am far less concerned for the person than for the snake," owner Rick Preuss said. The 20-inch snake was worth $174 (Dh639).

Jayzun Boget, assistant manager of Preuss' reptile department, called the heist "audacious".

Lansing police, who have a copy of the videotape, said the incident was under investigation.

Rick Preuss, owner of the pet store, said Boget had been answering the customer's questions, then turned his back on the woman to help another customer. Preuss said the woman opened the door of the case, reached in and grabbed one of five young boa constrictors, tucked it away, then left the store.

Preuss said the customer was in no danger of being harmed by the snake, and thought the snake could also survive the rough treatment. "They like warmth, and don't mind tight spots," Preuss said. But on the whole, he worried more about the boa constrictor.