CITRUS COUNTY CHRONICLE (Crystal River, Florida) 19 August 05 Boa constrictor over 12 feet long removed from RV park last month (Rochelle Kaiser)

What's 12-foot 10-inches long and weighs more than 100 pounds? A large boa constrictor snake, of course.

And that's just what was found hiding under a home in Turtle Creek Campground and RV last month.

"I really wasn't expecting it to be that big," said Kenny Borum, owner of Critter Gitters, who was called to capture the snake.

"Often people will call me and tell me they have a very large snake, but when I get there it's usually smaller."

The snake was discovered during regular maintenance on the property when what appeared to be a log ended up being a large snake. State Fish and Wildlife officials were notified, but because that agency doesn't work with snakes, Critter Gitters was called.

"His head was as big as my hand and his body was as big as my thigh," said Borum, who is licensed to remove these types of animals by Fish and Wildlife, the sheriff's office and animal control.

It only took about 20 minutes for Borum to remove the snake.

"It was a calm snake," said Borum.

Borum thought the snake was probably a pet at one time that either escaped or was turned loose because it became too big.

Borum is required by law to hold the snake for 14 days in the event someone claims it. The Fish and Wildlife commission keeps track of the snake. If someone claimed the snake, Fish and Wildlife would get involved and inspect the owner's home to make sure they have the right cages and are educated in handling these types of animals. At the end of the year, Borum is required to turn in a list of every animal he has captured and what was done with the animal to the agency. This particular snake was not claimed by anyone, so Borum sold it.

"We weren't here at the time," said Kris McGilvary.

McGilvary and her husband Don have owned the home for about three years. "I happened to call to let them know we were coming and they said, ‘oh, by the way, we found a snake under your porch,' " said Kris. "When we got here, they saved us a picture so we could see it."

"I went up to the front office and asked them what they did with my pet snake," laughed Don McGilvary.

The McGilvary's aren't worried. They know this area has an abundance of wildlife, they just didn't realize how big that wildlife could get.

If you have trouble with wild animals like foxes, raccoons and armadillos, Critter Gitters is available 24 hours a day. The only wild animals they do not handle are wild hogs and coyotes. "I'm not allowed to trap vultures or indigo snakes either," said Borum. "They are a protected species."

Critter Gitters can be reached at 422-0900.
Boa constrictor over 12 feet long removed from RV park last month

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