‘He is very friendly.’ 7-foot boa apprehended crossing Lexington street up for adoption
A 7-foot long boa constrictor is now looking for his forever home, according to the Lexington Humane Society, which announced Wednesday the snake found in a Lexington neighborhood is now up for adoption.
“He is very friendly,” said Katy Stoess with the Lexington Humane Society.
Recovered by law enforcement after it was found slithering across the street near Williamsburg Court earlier this month, the massive serpent has been named William. According to Stoess, the creature was well-cared for and is accustomed to people picking it up, although the exact circumstances that led to its discovery remain a mystery.
According to a tweet made Wednesday by the Lexington Humane Society, the red-tailed boa is “now looking for a forever home!”
“William is a happy, healthy snake who is currently around 7ft in length. Interested in adopting? Stop by for a meet-and-greet,” the Lexington Humane Society tweeted.
Not just anyone can adopt William, Stoess told the Herald-Leader. The shelter is looking for someone who has experience with reptiles and constrictors in particular.
The shelter is requiring potential adopters to stop by for a meet-and-greet, which essentially amounts to an interview for shelter employees to see if it’s a good fit for William.
Currently, William is subsisting on a steady diet of frozen rats, Stoess said.
“This is definitely a unique situation,” Stoess said, adding Lexington Humane Society employees have worked to accommodate the 7-foot-long snake.
The snake was recovered by law enforcement July 5 after a neighbor called to report the creature making its way across the neighborhood road. Police “apprehended” the critter and held it in a plastic tote until humane society representatives collected him.
At the time, the Lexington Animal Care and Control official described the massive serpent as “pretty docile” and said it would be put up for adoption if the snake’s owner wasn’t located.
Stoess echoed that assessment, describing William as “very, very friendly.”
“He’ll make a very good pet,” she said.
Do you have a question about Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published July 13, 2022 at 3:07 PM.