SANTA CLAUS, IN (WFIE) -
A 13 foot long python may be making its way in the grass in Santa Claus, Indiana.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife says someone called them this past weekend, and told them the snake had been released near Christmas Lake Village.
No one seems to be quite sure of how valid that Saturday morning call was, but that isn't stopping officials from alerting people to the potential danger. 14 News spoke to one expert today who says it's just not a good idea to own large snakes as pets.
Dennis Vogt with Mesker Park Zoo says the Burmese Python species can grow to over 20 feet, and he says a 13 foot python is certainly big enough to pose a threat to anyone.
"Even a grown person can get a snake to attach on to it and wrap around and cause some injuries," Vogt said.
Santa Claus Police Chief Joey Brown says they are trying to determine the next step in protecting the people who live in the area, but he says that is difficult to do since no one has seen the animal.
"We've been contacted by some people who relocate snakes. There's not been a sighting, there's not been any confirmation, we've not been able to find out where the phone call come from, or anything," Brown said.
Vogt says whether or not they find a snake, these things can happen when people decide to own large snakes as pets. He says they can become too large to be housed in an average-sized home, and too costly to take care of.
"They don't make good pets and I would advise against it. They only eat every two weeks or so. They only need to eat, but those rabbits can be pretty expensive," Vogt said.
Kory Tapp of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife says locating a snake, even of this size, could be difficult since that is a highly wooded area. He says if you spot the snake, do not approach it, and immediately contact authorities.
Related Stories:
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
