Officers in Thorold are hunting for a number of venomous snakes.
Niagara Regional police say the reptiles were stolen on Saturday evening when a home on Hansler Road and Highway 20 was broken into.
The stolen snakes include several juvenile cobra species, rattlesnakes, adders and vipers, and a pregnant albino boa.
The snakes range in size from 12 to 106 centimetres while the non-venomous pregnant boa is 200 centimetres long and weighs about seven kilograms.
Police caution that a cobra's venom contains neurotoxins that can cause respiratory failure and, eventually, death, and that even baby cobras have full strength venom and can defend themselves just like their parents.
Police say the snakes were being bred in the home for e-commerce and believe the residence was targeted.
They also note there does not appear to be any special provincial or municipal licensing provisions required for those persons that are involved in reptile e-commerce.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 3 District Detective Office at (905) 688-4111 extension 3320.