SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An unwelcomed guest has been slithering its way through Somerville, Mass.
Numerous videos of a ball python on the loose in the city have been popping up on social media, with sightings reported on Mystic Avenue and Taylor Street. Residents with small pets are on high alert, as Somerville Animal Control tries to track it down.
“I live right on Mystic [Avenue], so super close to here and I do have a 10-pound dog,” said one woman. “That thing would eat her so fast. Maybe I will keep her on a shorter leash and make sure she doesn’t wander off.”
Ball pythons are popular pets but are not native to the Commonwealth, so it’s likely the snake either escaped or was dumped by its owner. While they tend to be relatively docile, some parents are worried their children could come across the snake.
“Now I’m shocked,” said one resident. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I have kids who play outside in my back yard and my neighbor’s grass is extremely, extremely tall.”
Some residents hope to catch a glimpse of the snake from a distance, but most said they hope it gets captured quickly. As of Monday afternoon, it was still on the loose.
“Wow this is definitely the first [I’m hearing about this],” said another resident. “It’s a little concerning I will say, but personally I’m not that worried.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.