The nocturnal snakes found in Namibia and Angola are black to brown with light cross bars, and average 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length. North Carolina has a unique environment and climate. The African Snake Bite Institute classifies zebra cobrasas “very dangerous,” but says fatalities are not common. For other questions regarding human-wildlife interactions, call the Commission’s N.C. North Carolina allows residents to own venomous snakes without a permit as long as they keep the animals in escape-proof and bite-proof enclosures with locks. Venomous snakes are legal to own in North Carolina, but they must be kept in an escape-proof, bite-proof enclosures and owners must notify law enforcement if one escapes. Then they learned that a zebra cobra was missing from a home in the area. Evidently, this one was not escape-proof enough. But when the officer arrived, the snake had slithered away. Owning venomous snakes is legal in North Carolina, provided the owner keeps the animal in an escape-proof enclosure. They say the venomous snake could spit and bite if cornered.Īn animal control officer was called to a home in northwest Raleigh on Monday evening for a report of a live snake spotted on a resident’s porch, police said. The Raleigh Police Department sent out a notice early Tuesday urging anyone who sees the missing zebra cobra to stay away and 911. (AP) - Officials in North Carolina are warning people to be on the lookout for a venomous snake on the loose. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. But owners must follow specific regulations, including housing them in secure enclosures with warning signs and notifying authorities whenever one escapes.This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. North Carolina is one of only six states that don't ban private ownership of venomous snakes or require a permit to have them. Residents of one Raleigh, North Carolina, neighborhood awoke Tuesday to news that a zebra cobra snake was on the loose. The African Snake Bite Institute classifies zebra cobras as very dangerous, but says fatalities are not common. If Gifford pays restitution and stays out of trouble for a year, prosecutors plan to dismiss the one charge he pleaded guilty to. Venomous snakes are legal to own in North Carolina, but they must be kept in an escape-proof, bite-proof enclosures and owners must notify law enforcement if one escapes.

Gifford didn't come out to talk after the hearing inside the courtroom.įelts told WRAL News that Gifford is exhausted from all of this. A venomous African zebra cobra snake was reportedly missing for months, not the few days the Raleigh, North Carolina, community initially thought it was on the lam. 'I would have preferred he never have snakes again.' Venomous snakes, according to the AP, are legal to own in North Carolina, but they have to be held in escape-proof, bite-proof areas and owners are required to tell law enforcement if one breaks free. 'I think he got off very lightly,' she said. 'It’s fair to people, that they’re going to have one chance to mess up, and this was kind of his one chance and he’s learned from it.'įor one of Gifford's neighbors, his punishment is not enough.Īmanda Woomer sat in the courtroom, shaking her head as the judge accepted the plea agreement. Different misdemeanor charges have been filed against a North Carolina man whose snake escaped and terrorized the neighbor for so many days. 'We feel this is an appropriate resolution,' Felts told WRAL News. It is integral to spot and identify venomous snakes. They've been re-housed in another location in Raleigh. Though the state doesnt ban ownership of venomous snakes, the residents of North Carolina really do have to follow exact rules as they are posted. North Carolina state law says it is legal to own a venomous reptile as long as it is registered and kept in an escape-proof enclosure. 'Clearly there was a lack of judgment on this day back in November,' Felts said, adding, 'He presumed this animal to be dead.'Īuthorities later seized 74 snakes from Gifford's home. A venomous snake is on the loose in a North Carolina suburb. The Raleigh Police Department sent out a notice early Tuesday urging. They’re often spotted on branches overhanging the water, sunning themselves. Officials in North Carolina are warning people to be on the lookout for a venomous snake on the loose. Look for them everywhere, including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps, wetlands, and streams. Gifford's attorney Anna Smith Felts said Gifford is 'extremely sorry.' The Banded Watersnake is found in North Carolina near almost any fresh water source within their range. That was seven months before someone spotted it on their front porch a half mile away, leading to a three-day search and recapture.

Snake escape in north carolina