CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A neighborhood on the east part of Marion is on the lookout for a missing pet: a six-foot Boa Constrictor.
Signs have been posted on trees in the neighborhood near the Peg Peirce Softball Field saying the pet snake got loose Monday.
“Complete terror, I am not a fan of snakes,” said Micaela Tucker, a neighbor.
“Pretty crazy, you think of a garter snake and little snakes like that, never imagined a 6-foot pet snake,” said Chris Madsen.
Both Madsen and Tucker learned about the missing snake on Facebook. The post had hundreds of shares.
“Every time I let the dogs out, I definitely check,” said Tucker. “I keep my eyes peeled a little bit more.”
The sign said Drogo is a red-tailed boa. According to Petco, these types of snakes are native to South and Central America and are not venomous. But Karen Kinkead with the Iowa DNR said neighbors still need to keep an eye out.
“The snake or any reptile would be eating our local wildlife even domestic cats can be an issue,” said Kinkead.
She said it was very rare for the DNR to receive a report like this of a mom-native snake getting loose, maybe once every 5-years. But the danger could be to the snake if it wasn’t found sooner rather than later.
“Most of the reptiles that escaped here in Iowa don’t have much chance of surviving the winter because we just get too cold,” said Kinkead.
She said so many people are afraid of snakes, but she said this snake wasn’t dangerous, it just needs to be handled with caution.
“Kind of just look around and see if you can see it,” said Madsen.
Kinkead said if people spot the snake not pick it up themselves, but call Animal Control or the Marion Police.
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