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A friend & I were called to capture a Formosa Cobra in someones garage this evening. The homeowner witnessed a large snake crawling through their yard and into their garage. They went out and saw it go under a washing machine. Luckily their next door neighbor is an animal person and knew it was a cobra before someone tried to capture it. The rehaber is a friend of ours so they called us and we happened to be in the area. Laughing on the way about the hognose or such that we would find. To our surprise we found a 5ft Formosa curled up in the corner. Funny how no one has reported such a valuable snake missing from their collection in the area. After working in the business for years down here I know of several unscrupulous local dealers who would sell to unlicensed keepers. In fact one works right around the corner from where we happened on this dangeroous escapee. Whoever you are that let this beauty go hopefully this is your wake up call and hopefully you know how lucky you are that no one was hurt or killed by your stupid and reckless irresponsability.

JL

I want to think you are lying and making the whole thing up. I don’t mean to get on your case, you understand why I would not want any of that to be true. I searched for tropidolaemus in the forum archives, I haven’t seen where you have posted before. You have any more details to back up your story? Please say it isn’t true! At least say where this happened.

I am surely not lying. I was an active member of this a few years back. Greg Longhurst may or may not remember me. I can not give exact details of the area I found this snake as a respected member of the Venomous world may lose his job if it is known he had an escape. This is someone known throughout the country for his work with venomous reptiles. The snake turned out to be a venomoid. It was not reported escaped as he is out of town at the moment and may not have known he had anescape. The proper authorities were notified and have chosen not to release this story to the press. This is not exactly an uncommon occurence it turns out and they routinely do not tell the press to avoid hysteria. You don't have to believe me. I have a 5' Formosa Island cobra that will soon be returned to it's owner. It is not the first cobra found or not that was loose in this area. It is in everyone's best interest for this event not to hit the press as that will do more harm than good. People will still keep hots if there is no more permit process here. The state is already looking into that as a possability. The difference with no permit is that we won't know what is around and we won't be able to find the people responsible for the escapes as easily. I only mentioned the event as a reminder to all hot keepers that you NEED to be responsible and prevent this sort of thing. I design all my hot rooms with areas for possible escapees to hide so they won't wander off. I also screen over any vents or windows that would provide escape routes. This higly resected individual was so short sighted as to keep a cobra in a garage or other nonsecure area. and that is how I got involved. A friend and I were called about a cobra in a garage. We honestly thought it couldn't be true. It wouldn't have been the first nuisance snake call we went on that was a supposed hot that turned out to be a native or escaped exotic harmless snake. We should have believed those who called us. They have been working in the animal business for many. many years and know a cobra from a kingsnake. Again you don't have to believe me all I ask is that you think about the implications of what we do and be responsible instead of selfish. Make SURE your captives are CONTAINED and won't endanger you, your families, or the public!!!!!!

I am glad it isn't being widely reported in the press. You are right to post it here and it is something everyone should be concerned about. That kind of thing endangers everybodys rights to legally keep venomous snakes. It is the perfect ammunition for those who oppose private keepers. That's why I was saying I hope you're making it up. Even though it was a venomoid, it should have been housed and maintained just like any other venomous snake. That's the law in Florida. I'm working at getting my permit, I hope guys like that don't ruin it for me and others before we can complete the process.

That escaped and was found in a garage by two children who were playing with it all day before their mother called animal control. The video clip and interview has been on many reptile documentaries.. Escaped hots are unforgivable and are what help local governments with their herp banning bills.
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Brienne Earnst

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Keeping mostly Morelia and Elaphe ssp.