Wandering Python in Cedar Rapids Finds a New Home

Sir Hiss-a-Lot has left the building.

A nine-foot reticulated python found by Animal Control officers in Cedar Rapids is on its way to a new home.

When and Where was the Python Found?

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that an Animal Control Officer responded to a call earlier this month to a snake in someone's front yard. The officer expected to find something common to Iowa, like a garter snake. What they found instead was a nine-foot-long python.

Is This Type of Snake Legal in Iowa?

The Gazette reports that a reticulated python is illegal to own in the state of Iowa. They can grow up to 20 feet in length and are a constrictor species. They can constrict and kill prey like birds and small mammals. But when fully grown, they do have the ability to consume a human. The Gazette points out that it is very uncommon for something like that to happen in the U.S., but it does happen in other countries.

Where is the Python Being Relocated To?

Animal Control had to keep the snake for five days due to the 'stray hold' law in the city. The snake, who was named Sir Hiss-a-Lot, will now head to a facility in Illinois where reticulated pythons are legal to own, according to the Gazette. The name of the facility is not being released, but officials say they care for other kinds of reptiles and have experience handling pythons.

Officials can't confirm, but they believe that Sir Hiss-a-Lot was abandoned by its owner. Animal control officers state that it happens when owners discover that they can no longer care for the reptile. Another reason not to own an exotic pet unless you fully understand what you're getting into!

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