Residents in a western Sydney suburb have been warned an adult boa constrictor may be “at large” after a huge, “freshly shed” snake skin was discovered on a property.
The dangerous serpent – they have an average length of 3m – may be roaming the Cascades Estate residential complex in Silverdale.
The long snake skin was found on Wednesday and the New South Wales government sent a letter to residents on Friday warning them about the lengthy reptile.
The South American snake is illegal to keep in Australia outside of zoos, and can strangle humans and animals to death.
“NSW government has reason to believe there is an adult boa constrictor snake ‘at large’ in or around the Cascades Estate,” the letter said.
“A freshly shed snake skin was found at a property on Torumba Circuit on 9 October 2019, NSW government is in the process of trying to locate and capture the animal and is requesting the residents be on the lookout for it and to report any sightings.”
camwilson ?
(@cameronwilson)this is supposedly the skin left over pic.twitter.com/BlKz666FfM
Residents were told to: “Observe and, if possible, photograph the animal. If it is moving try and watch where it goes. Do not make contact with the animal.”
According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the boa constrictor is “considered to be one of the world’s largest snake species with an average length of around 3m”.
The snake is not venomous, but constricts and suffocates its prey.
The constrictor is classified as a threat to humans, especially small children, as well as pets. They are native to central America and carry viruses that are fatal to native snakes, who do not have resistance.
Residents are advised to contact a snake handler, and to report the sighting to the Department of Primary Industries, if they spot the snake.
The department said it would be releasing a statement later today.
