- Snake called Diva has not eaten for three weeks and is 'due a feed'
Last updated at 3:57 PM on 30th June 2011
A 'hungry and unfriendly' Boa constrictor is on the loose, prompting a warning to parents today to keep children and pets indoors.
The 7.5ft snake, called Diva, which squeezes its prey to death, has not eaten for three weeks and was due for a feed when it escaped in Ipswich, Suffolk.
Police admitted they 'cannot rule out a danger to the public' as they launch an urgent search for it after it escaped yesterday.
On the loose: Police are hunting for Diva, this 7.5ft Boa constrictor which escaped from a house in Ipswich, Suffolk
The nocturnal female snake eats small mammals and when hungry will climb trees and pounce on its prey.
It disappeared from a home just 50m from a primary school, which was running four classes for 70 children despite the teaching strike today.
A spokesman for Suffolk Police said that although Diva is not venomous she may bite if approached and warned anyone who spots her to dial 999.
She said: 'The owner describes the snake as unfriendly, and it might bite if approached. However, it is not venomous.
'The snake is nocturnal and is likely to hunt at night and will bask in the warm grass or on rocks in the sun during the day.
'It will hide for example under sheds when not hunting or warming. She was last fed about three weeks ago and is due a feed.
'Suffolk Police cannot rule out a risk to the public and residents are advised to keep children and pets indoors.
On the loose: Snake escaped from this cul-de-sac in Ipswich close to a playing field and a primary school
'However, our understanding is that this snake will only feed on small animals such as mice and rats.
'It is possible the breeding season could have encouraged the Boa constrictor to go out hunting.
'The owner has searched her house and when she realised it had got out did the right thing and contacted police.
'A STEALTHY HUNTER'
Boa constrictors are powerful snakes and stealthy hunters. They travel at only 1mph.
They live in tropical climates throughout most of Central and South America, where they hunt at night.
The Boa's hunting technique is generally to ambush prey.
The bigger it gets, the bigger its preferred prey becomes. It may start out eating mice and other small rodents. As it grows, it can handle big iguanas and wild pigs.
They snakes are not venomous. Instead, boas grab and hold onto their prey with small, hooked teeth, wrap around the victim and squeeze them to death.
It swallows its prey whole and food is digested by strong stomach acids.
Boas will generally weigh more than 45kg and grow to about 13ft. The longest boa constrictor ever found was 18ft.
In the wild, a Boa constrictor generally lives for 20 to 30 years.
There are sometimes hunted them for their skins.
'She is quite knowledgeable about snakes and felt she had a duty of care to let police know.'
The warning to more than 127,000 people living in Ipswich comes as thousands of children are at home because of teacher strikes.
Diva was last seen at 6am on Wednesday and reported missing at 7pm. It escaped from a house in a cul-de-sac of 28 houses near playing fields.
Neighbour Alexander Drummond, 59, said: 'We're right next to a school and I reckon if I were a Boa constrictor I'd be looking to hide out in the playing fields.
'There's plenty of grass and concrete it can hide under. I'm not too afraid of a Boa.
'If I see it I'll smack it over the head with something. If that doesn't work then I'm a fast runner.'
Diva is described as 7.5ft long, dark and light brown patterned, with creamy white spots on her back, and a reddish brown mark at the end of her tail.
South American Boa constrictors can grow up to 16ft in length and can live for up to 30 years.
Anyone who spots the snake should not approach it, interfere with it or harm it but ring 999 immediately.
If possible, they should keep the snake in sight, but from a safe distance until the police arrive.
I actually have 50 Boa Constrictors at present and I love them. All you people who think they are vile need to rethink and get a bit more educated in the area of snakes. Just because it hasn't fed for three weeks doesn't mean it wants to. Snakes can go a year without feeding sometimes. Look at Royal Pythons for example, they are known for their fasting habits. And like someone has already said, HUMAN'S would be able to walk faster than it can move so don't worry about it. This snake will only be agressive if people provoke it so if everyone just leaves it alone (apart from the person whos snake it is) then it should be fine. I really hope that people who do see it DO NOT KILL it as she is lovely and it would just prove how ignorant the human race is about snakes. It always comes down to ignorance in the UK. ALWAYS. They are beautiful creatures. JUST LEAVE THEM BE!!!!
- Kim, Hampshire, 30/6/2011 18:36
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