Police and wildlife experts are on high alert over the weekend after a massive snake skin was found just off the shore of the Presumpscot River in Maine Saturday afternoon.
It’s believed that this skin shedding may belong to a 10-foot snake nick-named “Wessie” that police have been on the lookout for since June of this year. The snake has reportedly been sighted plenty of times by individuals and reported to the police out of fear of safety.
Experts aren’t sure what species Wessie is just yet. Because the species remains unknown, there’s no way to tell if the snake is venomous or life-threatening. The Westbrook Police Department recommends locals remain extremely careful and don’t get close to any large snakes if they see one.
Wessie isn’t native to the area. Most local snakes are very small compared to the monstrous size of Wessie.
“None of ours are big enough to prey on something even as big as a squirrel,” said Derek Yorks, a biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The biggest local snakes typically only feed on smaller game, and in contrast, this particular specimen was observed swallowing a beaver earlier this year.
Yorks thinks it could be a Burmese Python, but there's no way to know for sure until it is caught.
It’s speculated that, based on these facts, Wessie may have been someone's pet who broke out of its living space at home, or an owner may have even set it free in the area because it got too big for its living space.
If you’re local to the area and happen to see a big snake that fits the description, it’s advised that you not only keep your distance. Police are asking anyone who might spot the creature to call authorities immediately.
Source: FOX News