EDMONTON -- An Edmonton man who was illegally keeping two rattlesnakes in his home as pets was fined $5,000 Monday.

Mathieu Lapointe, 22, pleaded guilty in court to possession of a controlled animal under the Wildlife Act.

Crown prosecutor Christian Lim told court the reptiles - rattlesnakes from B.C. - were discovered July 7 by city police during the execution of a search warrant.

Two officers heard hissing and rattling sounds and found the snakes in a secure tank at the city home, said Lim.

The prosecutor told court it was aggravating that Lapointe was keeping the snakes in a home, where there was a pregnant woman and a child living.

As well, Lim said the snakes could have posed harm to the ecosystem as a result of crossbreeding since they are not naturally found in Alberta.

Court heard the two seized rattlers were taken to Reptile World in Drumheller, Alta., and are now on display.