Hoke County Animal Shelter is asking Raeford-area residents to report sightings of a pet boa constrictor that escaped from an outdoor enclosure Monday. The snake is estimated to be 6 to 7 feet long, and the shelter says its owner is very worried about getting it back. Raeford is about 90 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh.
Owner Describes Snake as Docile, Species Withheld
The owner described the missing boa as docile, according to the shelter, but authorities have not released the species, as reported by The Charlotte Observer. The shelter shared 910-875-4148 for sightings. Hoke County Animal Shelter operates on C.C. Steele Road under Animal Control Director Kristi Pylant.
Boa constrictors are not native to the United States and are not venomous. The Observer reported that they are sensitive to cold; some species can live up to 30 years and grow as long as 13 feet. Smithsonian’s National Zoo describes boa constrictors as ambush predators that can become more active when food is scarce.
Why Cold Nights Change Where It's Hiding
Raeford's October weather typically brings daytime highs near 73°F but overnight lows dropping to between 48°F and 50°F, according to US Climate Data. Veterinary care standards from the Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center indicate boa constrictors need ambient temperatures between 80°F and 85°F, meaning the cold air will likely make the snake sluggish and push it toward warmth under vehicle hoods, inside crawlspaces, or near other heat sources.
The shelter’s Facebook post drew hundreds of reactions. Commenters offered suggestions including checking warm vehicles and bringing pets indoors as residents look for the snake.
No Statewide Ban Covers Common Boas
North Carolina does not have a comprehensive statewide law regulating or banning private ownership of non-venomous exotic pets, leaving some oversight to county ordinances, according to WFMY News 2.
What state law covers—and a past boa escape
North Carolina General Statutes § 14-417.1 names five species in its definition of “large constricting snakes” and does not name boa constrictors, according to the North Carolina General Assembly. That definition describes the scope of this state provision; it does not specify what Hoke County ordinances require or prohibit regarding boa ownership. A separate Burlington escape had a reported resolution: WSOC-TV reported that a pet boa escaped from its cage and was found under a deck on June 26, 2018.
North Carolina has also seen other escaped-reptile searches. In June 2021, a venomous zebra cobra escape in Raleigh prompted a multi-day search and 40 misdemeanor charges against its owner. The incident later led the Raleigh City Council to pass a 2022 ordinance banning new dangerous wild animals within city limits.
A Regional Pattern of Escaped Pet Boas
The Raeford case also echoes a dashboard rescue in Union County, where a 16-year-old pet boa named Penelope escaped a pillowcase inside a vehicle in October 2024 and wedged itself into the dashboard before rescuers extracted her. Research published by Reptiles Magazine in 2023 found captive boa constrictors typically live 20 to 30 years and average 6 to 8 feet long, with loose screen tops or unlatched enclosures cited as the most common causes of escapes — a detail that underscores how a long-lived pet can eventually outlast the housing it started with.
For now, the Raeford boa remains unaccounted for, and Hoke County Animal Shelter is relying on residents to check cars, crawlspaces, and other warm hiding spots as the temperature drops each night.
