A 5-foot red-tailed boa constrictor found crossing a rural road in Ontario left everyone wondering where exactly it came from.
Here's what to know
According to GuelphToday, Katherine Leonard, senior manager of community services at the Guelph Humane Society (GHS), said the humane society received a call from a resident after a large snake was seen on the road in Arthur near Eliza Street and Wells Street.
Before that call reached staff, another person in the community had already secured the animal in a large plastic container with duct tape, which was how it arrived at GHS.
The humane society does not usually handle animal control in the Arthur area, but staff still assisted in this special instance and pulled an old enclosure from storage, specifically saved for this type of situation.
During intake, Leonard said, the boa showed no immediate signs of illness or injury and appeared to be a fully grown adult measuring just over 5 feet long.
She added that the snake likely had not been outdoors for long and had "been previously cared for," indicating captivity rather than a wild animal encounter.
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More background
VCA Canada says red-tailed boas — also called common boas — are nonvenomous snakes from Central and South America that can grow to about 13 feet and often live 20 to 30 years. They are also strong climbers and require tall, secure enclosures in captivity.
Leonard said the humane society does occasionally receive surrendered ball pythons, but a snake of this size is unusual. "It's definitely one of the larger snakes we've seen here," she said.
Leonard noted that boas are known "escape artists," able to slip through surprisingly small gaps in doors, windows, and even ceiling tiles. She said another possible explanation is that the snake may have been dumped by someone who could no longer afford or handle its care.
Large snakes require space, specialized housing, and a long-term commitment — all of which can create serious challenges for owners and rescue organizations.
What's being done?
The snake is being held under the humane society's standard impound process. Leonard said the shelter will keep it through the required five-day period, after which it could be made available for adoption if no owner comes forward.
The shelter is also asking people who are missing a snake — or who know of one that has gone missing — to contact GHS.
Animals that can live for decades and require specialized habitats can quickly become difficult to care for when their needs are underestimated. When that happens, the consequences reach beyond a single household, affecting neighbors, rescuers, and the animal itself.
"It was crossing the road, so it's very fortunate it didn't succumb to any injuries," Leonard said. "Our hope with any animal is always to reunite it with its owner, but, in the event that it doesn't, that's what we're here for."
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