A highly dangerous zebra cobra snake has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina, officials said on Tuesday.
Raleigh Police Department issued an alert to locals to watch out for the venomous creature after it escaped its owner and was was spotted on a porch at 5:10 p.m. EST Monday, according to CBS affiliate WNCN.
Animal control was called after it was initially spotted, but by the time they had arrived, the snake had left the area.
Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa.
Salina Locke, a veterinarian at Raleigh-based Avian and Exotic Animal Care, told WRAL that this type of cobra ‘doesn’t typically bite,’ but its venom spray is ‘very accurate and go straight for the eyes.’
She added that she does not recommend keeping this type of pet as a pet, because of the risks associated with it.
If someone were hit with the poison, they would feel pain, swelling, blistering, and in some cases, tissue damage, the African Snake Bite Institute said.
A highly dangerous zebra cobra has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina
Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa
Spitting cobras have been known to bite people and their venom is ‘easily injected,’ according to the African Snakebite Institute.
Zebra cobras are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed, spitting as far away as 9 feet, according to WRAL, a local Raleigh news station.
They are usually black or brown in color with light cross bars, and average 4 feet in length.
Snakes are legal to own as pets in North Carolina, but they must be enclosed.
North Carolina state law G.S. 14-417 states:
‘It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any venomous reptile that is not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure. Enclosures shall be designed to be escape-proof, bite-proof, and have an operable lock.’
The police have not yet said if the owner of the snake, who has not yet been identified, will face charges on the matter.
If the zebra cobra is spotted, Raleigh officials have warned residents to stay away from the slithering serpent and immediately call 911.
Residents of the community said they were clueless one of their neighbors had been collecting venomous snakes – and were deeply concerned about the threat to their children and pets. Many said they were avoiding their own backyards and pools until the snake was caught.
‘It is pretty alarming. It seems like a pretty dangerous snake, and dogs like to sniff in the grass and check things out,’ local Mark Pavlic told WRAL.
‘It’s an extreme worry.’
Zebra cobras are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed, spitting as far away as 9 feet
