Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 24, 1993 TAG: 9307240043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The female python, named Herman, was reported missing Wednesday from her basement cage in Lenora Vest's Charlottesville home. Police believe construction work at the house jarred loose a glass panel on the front of the cage.
Vest said she searched the basement for at least six hours after she got home from work but to no avail. She thought the reptile might have crawled upstairs from the basement through a hole in the kitchen floor and escaped through an open window.
But her son noticed the pet python in the basement about 11 p.m. Thursday. "Where she came from we really don't know, but we found it," Vest said.
Police had advised anyone who spotted the python to stay away from it and call police.
"It never actually left the property so we were saved," Sgt. Ronnie Roberts said.
Vest said the python didn't present any danger to humans or pets. The snake only eats every two weeks. Herman consumed three chickens and a large guinea pig a week ago.
Elizabeth Larney, owner of the Outrageous Pets store in Charlottesville, agreed that a python on the loose would not bother people. The snakes only become mean if they are sick or starving, she said.
"They're going to look for a place where they can bask in the sun, and maybe find a stream of water," she said. "They'd look for food in a dark place where there might be some rats."
The python would not be likely to prey on small dogs or cats, either, Larney said.
"A cat is too big and too fast," she said. "I don't think they'd go for anything bigger than a rabbit, and rabbits would be too fast for them."
by CNB