A Pittsburgh family came face to face with a rather strange poolside guest. They walked into their backyard and found a large albino boa constrictor stretched out by the pool, soaking up the sun. The snake wasn’t hiding or coiled to strike, though. In fact, local animal control agents later described it as “lazily lounging on the raised pool deck.”
Mt. Oliver police called in Pittsburgh Animal Care and Control for help. Officers reached the home on Church Avenue and removed the snake without any trouble, though it was a bit perplexing as to why the snake had been “chilling” as it was. It was taken to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, where it’s now being cared for.
An albino boa isn’t usually something that slithers up from the wild in western Pennsylvania. The coloring is a captive-bred trait, which means this snake almost certainly belonged to someone and was a pet. How it ended up alone on a pool deck is the question. It’s likely it escaped from an enclosure at some point.
Pittsburgh officials wanted people to take something important from the situation: owning a boa constrictor is legal in the city. But keeping one is a huge responsibility. Two things are useful to understand here: what the rules ask of exotic pet owners and what to do if a stray reptile turns up in your own yard.
What the Rules Ask of Exotic Pet Owners
Pittsburgh doesn’t ban boa constrictors, and neither does Pennsylvania. The city does require that owners keep their exotic animals securely contained. A boa that gets loose can hurt itself and even threaten other pets. And once the animal is no longer contained, what it does definitely isn’t up to you.
Containment is harder than it sounds with a snake this size. Boa constrictors are muscular, patient, and very good at finding gaps. A determined one can nose open a poorly latched lid or squeeze through a surprisingly small opening. They also keep growing, sometimes past what an owner bargained for, which is how a pet can outgrow both its enclosure and its welcome. A boa like this isn’t dangerous by nature. It does mean the people around it need to be careful.
What to Do If One Turns Up in Your Yard
If you ever find yourself in a similar position, the guidance is refreshingly simple. Don’t try to catch or move the snake yourself. Give it space, keep pets and children away, and call animal control, which is how this case got resolved without incident. In Pittsburgh, residents who come across an exotic animal are asked to contact Animal Care and Control directly.
A boa carries no venom. They kill by constriction, not by a bite. A healthy, well-fed pet basking in the sun has little reason to bother anyone. Still, a large constrictor is a powerful animal. You need an expert for certain situations, and if you can’t handle most situations with a snake, it’s a good idea not to get one. As for the Mt. Oliver boa, it’s in good hands at the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. If its owner surfaces, there may be a reunion. If not, a snake this striking shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new home.