STARKVILLE — Animal control officers in Starkville are asking students to think twice before buying exotic pets.
In the last month, officers have responded to two separate incidents involving boa constrictors.
On Sept. 3, a seven-foot Peruvian red tail boa constrictor was found near the area of Campus Trails and Mary Lee Lane.
Less than two weeks later, Animal Control Officers captured a ball boa constrictor in the same area.
Both reptiles are believed to be pets that had escaped from their owners.
A press release issued by the Starkville Police Department warns that an animal that may start as a small pet may drastically increase in size. Some snakes may live up to twenty years.
Animal control officer Richard McGee stresses that snakes are “escape artists” and cautions snake owners to purchase escape proof tanks for their reptile.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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