[aix1]

Your comment reminded me of the Great Hanoi Rat Massacre (I won't spoil the punchline):

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/hanoi-rat-massacre-190...

[el_io]

I've heard exactly the same story about snakes, but that took place in British India.

Probably that (the one I heard) derived from this one.

[IAmBroom]

That's amazing, thank you!