Parking lot snake not your typical desert dweller

  • Published
  • By Gary Hatch
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A recent e-mail circulated around the base warned readers to be sure to check under their cars for snakes. It included two photos of a snake under a car in a main base parking lot.

Looking at the photo, base biologists did a double take. Not because someone snapped a photo of a snake under a car in a blistering hot parking lot -- though that is a bit unusual, they say.

It was because the snake in the photo isn't from this area, or this continent, or even this hemisphere.

Try Africa.

The snake is a ball python, native to Western and Central Africa.

"It was probably someone's pet that either escaped or was let go," said Mark Hagan, base biologist.

Either way it's a problem -- for the snake or the ecosystem, Mr. Hagan said.

"We need to remind people not to release their pets, particularly exotic species," he said. "The two most likely outcomes are either the pet suffers a painful death because it can't adapt to a different environment, or it adapts too well and can cause ecological problems -- sometimes disasters."

There are many examples of a new species being introduced into an area with ruinous results -- snakehead fish on the East Coast of the U.S., brown tree snakes in Guam or simply suckers, chubs or carp overrunning a favorite trout lake.

People need to think seriously about a long-term commitment before they adopt a pet. However, there are options open to anyone who suddenly must find a home for a pet.

APET Rescue is an on-base organization whose primary mission is to find good homes for pets. They can be reached at 258-9525. Sometimes pet stores will also take a pet.

Those who have exhausted other avenues may try Security Forces Wildlife Control at 277-7138 or Environmental Management at 277-1401 for other ideas or help.