Two boa constrictors found on loose within three days in Haute-Garonne
One snake was found in a car engine when the driver opened the bonnet to change the battery
Published
Firefighters in Haute-Garonne have dealt with two boa constrictors on the loose in the span of just three days.
The first intervention took place in Colomiers, west of Toulouse, where a resident made a surprising discovery while attempting to change his car battery on Tuesday, August 18.
The vehicle had been parked for around a month. When the owner opened the bonnet, he found a 1.5m boa constrictor sheltering inside the engine compartment.
Five firefighters were mobilised, including two members of the specialist animal-risk team (RAN).
They used specialist equipment to safely remove the snake following an assessment by an expert in exotic pets. The boa was then carefully extracted without putting the responders at ris and taken to the École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse.
SDIS 31 said its owner had not come forward and that veterinary teams were taking care of the animal.
Just two days later, firefighters were called to Montesquieu-Volvestre, in Haute-Garonne, for another boa.
This time, the roughly 1m-long snake had escaped from its terrarium and was found in a public area. The snake was captured and returned to its owner.
The back-to-back incidents prompted SDIS 31 to remind people that keeping boas and other non-domestic reptiles is regulated in France and “particular vigilance is required for anyone keeping this type of animal.”
The boa constrictor is a large, non-venomous snake native to Central and South America. Adult size varies, but the species is generally around 1.5 to 3.5m long, with some can grow longer.
Snakes can be found in several departments of France and if you encounter one, you should keep your distance. Snakes are generally more likely to retreat than confront people, and giving them space is the safest response.
A bite from a boa constrictor is not venomous but it can cause significant wounds, particularly from a large animal.
If bitten you should seek medical advice, especially if the wound is deep, bleeding heavily or showing signs of infection.
