The green anaconda can grow to more than 20 feet in length and is considered the heaviest snake in the world.
By now you may or may not have heard of a large constricting snake apparently on the loose in New Jersey’s Lake Hopatcong. The snake, ranging in size between seven and 20 feet, depending on who you talk to, has been on the loose since at least June, when it was allegedly first spotted by boaters.
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The Daily News reports that a snake expert, Gerald Andrejcak, first reported seeing what he said was a boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), but in actuality, it was a green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), but Andrejcak was told by local animal control to call it a boa constrictor in an effort to avoid a panic on the popular lake. Getting weird yet?
“I’ve known its species (since last week), but I was sworn to keep my mouth shut by local officials to avoid causing panic, Andrejcak was quoted in NJ.com” Now that there’s a panic, I’m going on the record.”
According to the report, several swimmers and boaters have reportedly seen the snake, as has Andrejcak, who claims he followed the snake into a residential boathouse and just missed grabbing it as it swam between his legs. He claims the snake is 16 feet long with a head the size of his hand. Urban legend? Or is there really a large constricting snake on the loose in this popular summer lake? Time will tell now that everyone who uses the lake is on the lookout for this as of now mythical creature.
John B. Virata keeps a ball python, two corn snakes, a king snake, and two leopard geckos. His first snake, a California kingsnake, was purchased at the Pet Place in Westminster, CA for $5. Follow him on Twitter @johnvirata
