A Plymouth pet owner turned to a neighborhood Facebook group for help Friday after their boa constrictor, Linguini, slipped out of a home in town. The snake, described as roughly 10 feet long and nearly 20 inches around, quickly became the talk of the feed as neighbors shared the appeal. Town animal control has been notified and told local media they do not believe the wayward reptile poses a threat.
How big can a boa get?
Boa constrictors often grow far beyond what new owners expect. According to Smithsonian's National Zoo, boas range from about 20 inches as newborns to as much as 13 feet as adults and can weigh more than 100 pounds. That kind of growth helps explain why even a domestic boa going missing can make neighbors nervous.
What officials are saying
As reported by Boston 25 News, the owner posted a message on Facebook asking for help locating Linguini. The station reports that the Town of Plymouth Animal Control confirmed it has been made aware of the loose reptile and said it "do not believe there to be a threat."
If you spot Linguini
If you see the snake, do not approach it or try to catch it yourself; contact authorities instead. The Town of Plymouth's Animal Control page lists the office phone as 508-888-1186 and notes officers are on call during daytime hours, and that after-hours non-emergency animal concerns should be reported to the Plymouth Police non-emergency line at 508-830-4218. For safety, animal control advises residents to leave recovery to trained responders rather than attempting to handle the snake themselves.
Why pet boas can become a problem
The National Zoo notes that boa constrictors are common in the pet trade and that "pet owners are often unaware of how quickly they grow from a small neonate to a large adult," which can lead to escapes or owners surrendering animals they can no longer house. In some places, released or escaped constrictors have established breeding populations, which is one reason officials urge care and reporting rather than handling the animal yourself.
The Town of Plymouth says it will provide updates as more information becomes available, according to Boston 25 News.
