MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A 15-foot python escaped into the woods Thursday night in Sabraton and has not been found despite a search effort.
“This is the biggest fiasco. It is blown so out of proportion,” said Kelly Wilken, an employee of Exotic Jungle Pet Superstore, who helped with Friday’s search. “They’re just slow-moving misunderstood creatures. I’ve been doing this a very long time and I’ve only been bitten once in my entire life and I work in an exotic pet store.”
She said pythons are docile, not aggressive or vicious like movies portray them — meaning social media’s hysteria over the matter isn’t justified. A python has the power to kill a small dog or cat, but Wilken said it’s not likely.
On Friday, Wilken and Emily Sanders, owner of Exotic Jungle, searched around Sheetz, across the street by Listravia Avenue and down all of Listravia, including around houses, under decks, tarps and porches. The duo also searched by BB&T and behind Dunkin’ Donuts.
“We searched high and low for it,” Wilken said.
According to the Morgantown Police Department, the snake escaped its enclosure while its owner was driving. The driver then got out of his vehicle and so did the snake. It then escaped into the woods and was last seen in a tree next to Listravia Avenue, just above the stop light next to Sheetz.
Wilken said in her mind, it’s a clear-cut case of someone not doing their research before buying an animal. The fact that the owner didn’t pick the snake up means either he was afraid of it or the snake was too large for him to properly handle, she said.
“The main thing for me and a big issue for us in general, please, do your research,” Wilken said. “Take the time to invest in the proper equipment to take care of these animals and know what you’re getting yourself into.”
If the python is not found, Wilken said it could survive in the wild through the summer, but will die once its unable to keep its body temperature at 85-95 degrees. Captive pythons normally eat mice and rats, but in the wild it will probably eat whatever it can find that will pass through its jaws.
Anyone who sees the snake, is encouraged to call 911. Wilken said people can also call Exotic Jungle (304-296-8552), which has the capability to capture it, or the Division of Natural Resources.