They are calling it the "Monster of Lake Evans."
Authorities over the weekend tell the story this way: On Friday, Riverside County animal-control officials got a report of a "20-foot snake" roaming around Lake Evans. Authorities went out to investigate. They found a 60-pound, 15-foot-long python.
Officials believe the owner of the python dumped the animal at the lake. There had been earlier reports of people noticing a large snake in the area.
"There were no reports of it feeding off any of the lake’s fowl," Animal Services Department spokesman John Welsh told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "Clearly, Burmese pythons are not native to Lake Evans."
According to KTLA News, Burmese pythons, while very large, are considered docile and easy to handle. The python is being taken care of by animal-control employees. It could be sent to an exotic-pet rescue facility if the owner is not found.
— Shelby Grad
Photo credit: KTLA