Raeford, North Carolina — A 6- to 7-foot boa constrictor is on the loose in a neighborhood near Calloway Road and Summer Lane, prompting an urgent warning from local animal shelter officials who are asking residents to keep their distance and protect children and pets.
The Hoke County Animal Shelter (HCAS) shared the warning in a Facebook post on Monday, Oct. 6, alerting the community that a pet snake had escaped from its owners and was believed to be somewhere in the surrounding area.
The shelter made the unusual warning clear, writing, “No, this is not a joke.” The situation has raised concerns among residents as officials work to locate the reptile and reunite it with its owner.
Animal Shelter Warns Residents to Keep Their Distance
The Hoke County Animal Shelter has urged anyone who spots the escaped boa constrictor to contact animal control rather than approaching the animal. According to the shelter’s post, the owner described the snake as very docile and was worried about its disappearance.
“Owner stated it’s very docile and is very worried,” the shelter said.
Despite the owner’s description, officials are asking residents not to take chances if they encounter the reptile. The shelter specifically advised people to “keep a safe distance” and “keep children and pets away from the area.”
Anyone who sees a snake matching the description should provide animal control with its location and a description of where it was spotted.
Residents have also been told not to attempt to capture or contain the snake themselves. Reporting a sighting gives animal control a chance to respond without putting members of the public at unnecessary risk.
Residents Share Theories About Where the Snake Could Be Hiding
The shelter’s social media post prompted several comments from people offering suggestions about where the missing boa might be found.
One commenter suggested that cooler nighttime temperatures could affect the snake’s movements and encouraged residents to check sheltered areas where a reptile might seek warmth.
The commenter said the snake “will slow down once the sun goes down, so check corners of houses, garages… It’s going to look for some kind of warmth asap.” Another person suggested that the reptile might not have traveled far from the property where it escaped.
“It’s more than likely close by on the property. They don’t range far. Meters, not miles.”
These comments reflect residents’ theories rather than confirmed information about the snake’s location. Authorities have not established exactly where the boa constrictor is hiding or how far it may have traveled.
Garages, sheltered spaces and areas around buildings may attract wildlife seeking protection, but residents should leave any search or capture efforts to trained responders.
Are Boa Constrictors Dangerous to Humans?
Boa constrictors are non-venomous snakes native to Central and South America. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, they can survive in a variety of environments, although tropical rainforests provide particularly suitable conditions.
Their patterns and coloring help them blend into their surroundings, potentially making a snake difficult to spot when it is resting among vegetation or other objects.
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The Smithsonian institution notes that attacks on humans are very uncommon and that humans are generally too large to be suitable prey for boa constrictors.
However, non-venomous does not mean harmless. Boa constrictors are powerful animals that kill prey by constriction, and a frightened or cornered snake may bite or defend itself.
For that reason, residents should not try to handle the escaped reptile, even if it appears calm or remains motionless.
Escaped Boa Constrictors Have Been Found Before
Although unusual, incidents involving escaped or wandering pet boa constrictors have occurred elsewhere in the United States. In 2024, a deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Office encountered a boa constrictor on a road in Shapleigh, Maine.
After securing the snake in a vehicle, authorities contacted the Maine Warden Service, which arranged for the reptile to be transported to the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk. The organization then attempted to locate the snake’s owner.
The incident illustrates how local authorities and animal welfare organizations can work together to safely handle an escaped exotic pet.
What Residents Should Do if They Spot the Snake
For people living near Calloway Road and Summer Lane in Raeford, the key message is to remain alert without approaching the animal.
Do not attempt to pick up, trap or move the boa constrictor. Keep children and pets away, maintain a safe distance and contact Hoke County animal control if the snake is spotted.
The animal’s current location remains uncertain, and the shelter has not publicly explained how it escaped. Until officials locate the reptile, residents in the surrounding neighborhood should remain cautious and follow guidance from local authorities.
Would you know what to do if you spotted a 7-foot snake near your home? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let other residents know why keeping a safe distance is important.
