Snake alert in Ipswich as boa constrictor escapes

Residents told to keep children and pets indoors after ‘unfriendly’ 2.3-metre reptile goes missing Police warned that children and pets should be kept indoors after a 2.3-metre boa constrictor described by its owner as unfriendly escaped in Ipswich. “Its owner has been unable to find it,” Suffolk police said in a statement , adding that the female reptile, which kills its prey through asphyxiation, was “last seen in its cage at about 6am” on Wednesday. A police spokesman said: “The owner describes the snake as unfriendly, and it might bite if approached. She was last fed about three weeks ago and is due a feed. However, it is not venomous. It is nocturnal and is likely to hunt at night and will bask in the warm grass or on rocks in the sun during the day. It will hide for example under sheds when not hunting or warming.” An active search for the reptile, called Diva, has not been undertaken. It is described as dark and light brown patterned, with creamy white spots on its back and a reddish-brown mark at the end of its tail. The RSPCA has been notified. Police said while they understood the animal would feed only on small animals such as mice and rats, a risk to the public could not be ruled out. “It is possible the breeding season could have encouraged the boa constrictor to go out hunting,” the spokesman added. Animals Animal behaviour Pets Wildlife Adam Gabbatt guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 30, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.