7-foot snake found far from home may have had a spiritual purpose, officials say
A massive boa constrictor was found significantly out of place in Peru after officials say it may have been trafficked for spiritual practices.
On Aug. 19, officials with the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation were called to the Huancabamba province after locals spotted a 7.6-foot-long snake near a new bridge, according to an Aug. 21 news release from the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru.
The snake appeared to be in good health, officials said, but is not native to the area.
When officials spoke to residents, they said the snake came from a nearby house where it was being kept illegally, according to the release.
Residents believe the snake was being kept for taxidermy, or to be stuffed, then used in shamanism and to help sell alternative medicine products.
Officials could not confirm the suspicions but noted the snake is originally from the dry forests of northwestern Peru and it is highly unusual to see the boa constrictor in the highlands.
The region of Huancabamba is also well-known for popular shamanist practices, officials said, making it likely the snake was brought to the area for that purpose.
Officials coordinated with local authorities to send community alerts as well as inspect locations where alternative medicine products are sold to look for other illegal wildlife.
The snake was identified as boa constrictor ortonii, known locally as “macanche,” according to the release.
The snakes, also known as red-tailed boa constrictors, are non-venomous but can have a painful bite when threatened, according to the Dallas World Aquarium.
They can range in size from 6 to 10 feet; typically feed on lizards, birds and small mammals; and kill by suffocating their prey, the aquarium says.
The snake’s natural environment (in areas like Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad) is a more than 300-mile drive north from where the snake was found.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Peru National Forest and Wildlife Service.
