Illegal-to-own snake captured in Florida neighborhood

FWC seeking information on owner of green anaconda

8-foot-long green anaconda captured in Melbourne, Fla. (FWC)

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The discovery of a rare and illegal-to-own snake is causing Florida wildlife officials to ask for the public's help in learning more about its origins.

An 8-foot, 8-inch green anaconda was captured in a Melbourne neighborhood and turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Feb. 3.

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The green anaconda is a nonnative snake and is prohibited from being owned in Florida for personal use.

A different green anaconda, similar to the one captured this month, was found in a nearby area in November.

Neither snake had a tag required by law, so the FWC is looking into the possibility that the snakes are being illegally bred in the state.

Green anacondas are the longest snakes in the world, with the female of the species reaching up to 26 feet.

The FWC is asking anyone with information to call the WIldlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or email or text to Tip@myFWC.com