FRANKLYWNOW - Mat-Su: Look out for 17-foot python

Courtesy of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough

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In an update Wednesday morning, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough said there had been no sighting of the 17-foot snake.

“Animal Care Officer Darla Erskine reports no sign of the 17-foot python in the Meadow Lakes neighborhood, only bunny and cat sightings as of 6:30 am today. Erskine will patrol again this afternoon,” the borough wrote. 

Original story:

Have you seen a 17- foot python in the Meadow Lakes area? Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Care says its owners reported it missing last Monday, April 24, and the agency is warning small pet owners to keep a careful eye on their animals and their yards.

David Hyde said his 100-pound Burmese python named Sam escaped his home on West Mallard Lane in the Meadow Lakes neighborhood last Monday. Hyde says he was outside doing yardwork when Sam, who has the run of the house, slithered out the door. By the time Hyde noticed, the snake was nowhere to be found.

Mat-Su Animal Care Director Kirsten Vesel says they’ve gotten phone calls from worried neighbors. She says they have good reason to be concerned.

“These snakes can eat small animals and reportedly even the size of a deer, so, potentially it could be dangerous.”

She advised anyone who saw the snake call 911.

Hyde said Sam had eaten a large rabbit before he escaped but was likely to be hungry again soon. In addition to filing a missing animal report with the borough, Hyde said he knocked on neighbors doors to let them know his snake was missing.

“Alaska’s cold temperatures may weaken the snake or compel it to seek a warm place,” Vesel explained.

In fact, Animal Care says there’s a good chance the 8- 9-year-old snake has already died– unless, of course, it was able to find shelter somewhere warm.

Hyde said large snakes generally don’t like cold temperatures, but Sam spent much of the winter in an unheated room. He said he was hopeful the snake was still alive and hadn’t gotten far. He planned to keep searching until his pet is found.

Anyone who spots the snake is urged to call 911 or animal care at 907-761-7501.

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