Extremely venomous African viper that can grow to 7ft on the loose in Orange County

A deadly Gaboon viper, native to the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, is on the loose in Orange County, according to cops.

The Santa Ana Police Department issued a public safety advisory and posted a photo of the alleged snake Monday after the venomous serpent was spotted in a residential area in Orange County.

“We have received reports of a snake believed to be a Gaboon Viper, last seen in a tree within a residential neighborhood near Main Street and Edinger Avenue,” Santa Ana Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Authorities estimate that the spotted snake is between 4 and 5 feet long, though full-grown vipers of the same species can reach exceeding 7 feet in length. “

Gaboon Vipers are highly venomous and are not native to North America,” the police added.

However, some users on social media questioned the validity of the photo and whether or not the police had been duped by an AI image.

“We understand there are questions about whether the image circulation online may be AI generated. We are taking those concerns seriously and are doing our due diligence to investigate the report and determine whether the snake is actually in the area,” cops said.

Authorities launched an extensive search alongside the president of the Southern California Herpetology Association and Rescue (SCHA&R), who will help the responding officers identify the snake.

“f the snake is captured, he will quarantine it and transport it to an exotic animal sanctuary for proper care,” Santa Ana police said.

Gaboon viper is the heaviest venomous snake in Africa, weighing 8 kg (18 pounds), according to Britannica. It also has the longest fangs of any snake, measuring up to 4 cm (1.6 inches) long. 

The heavy-bodied Gaboon viper has tan, purple, and brown geometric pattern on its body. This velvet-like design serves as flawless camouflage, enabling the slow-moving viper to blend seamlessly into the leaf litter and roots of the forest floor.

Defensive like most snakes, the Gaboon viper hisses when provoked. It hunts rodents and ground-dwelling birds by striking and holding them tightly in its venomous jaws until they succumb. Female Gaboon vipers reproduce every two to three years, bearing 15 to 40 snakelets.

The Santa Ana Police Department is urging anyone who spots the viper to not engage with it or try to handle it on their own and share the location of the sighting with the officers through a non-emergency line at (714) 834-4211.

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