Florida Officers Find 5-Foot Boa Constrictor Resting on Car Hood in Clearwater
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — Police officers in Florida responded to one of their more unusual calls this week after discovering a 5-foot boa constrictor lounging on top of a parked car in Clearwater.
Unusual Morning for Clearwater Police
According to the Clearwater Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Franklin Street area after a resident reported seeing a large snake “camped out atop a car hood.” When they arrived, they found the boa comfortably resting in the sun.
“Equipped with a snake hook — yes, the sergeant is ever-prepared and carries one in her car — they were able to bravely wrangle the reptilian rascal,” the department said in a post on social media.
The snake, which measured roughly five feet in length, was uninjured but appeared dehydrated, police said. Officers safely removed it and took it to a local pet store, where staff will work to find it a proper home.
‘Unusual Catch of a Slithery Suspect’
In a lighthearted tone, the department joked that the boa was “an unusual catch of a slithery suspect,” adding that it’s not every day officers get to use their snake hook on duty.
The snake’s origins remain unclear — authorities believe it may have been a pet that escaped captivity, as boa constrictors are not native to the area.
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Community Reaction
Residents quickly flooded the department’s post with comments, calling the officers “brave” and thanking them for handling the situation humanely. Many were surprised to learn the sergeant keeps a snake hook in her patrol car, ready for situations just like this.
Boa constrictors, while non-venomous, are powerful predators that can pose a risk to small pets or wildlife. Experts recommend that anyone spotting a large snake in a public area call animal control or local police rather than trying to capture it themselves.
Stories like these remind Floridians that wildlife encounters can happen anywhere — even in the driveway. For more local news and unusual finds, follow NapervilleLocal.com, your trusted source for real stories from real neighborhoods.
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