White Cobra on the loose...
Authorities warned parents to watch their children and keep them
away from dark holes after a cobra was seen slithering through a
Southern California suburban neighborhood this week. State wildlife
officials and Los Angeles County animal control officers searched
bushes and woodpiles Wednesday for the albino monocle cobra, which
has been loose at least since Monday evening, when it bit a dog on
Rancho Lane in this Ventura County town just past Los Angeles
County's northern border.
The dog had a neck wound on Wednesday but appeared healthy,
authorities said. The monocle cobra can deliver a neurotoxic venom
that can be deadly. "Do not approach it, do not try to capture it,
do not try to kill it," said Brandon Dowling, a Los Angeles County
spokesman. If the snake does bite someone, antivenom will be flown
in from the San Diego Zoo, Dowling said.
Authorities planned to resume the search on Thursday morning.
Authorities were concentrating on the cooler morning and evening
hours when the snake probably would be more active and more likely
to hunt for mice and other food.
They urged residents to keep pets indoors, watch children and
make sure they stay away from animal burrows, pipes and
culverts.
The cobra's native to southeast Asia, parts of India and China,
and can grow to 4 feet or more. Its name derives from a circle or
ring on the back of its hood.
Cobras are illegal to own in California except for educational
and scientific purposes, and a permit is required.
While it isn't aggressive, the snake will defend itself if
cornered and "to it, a person is a great, big potential predator,"
Greg Pauly, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County.
The cobra apparently escaped from captivity, although
authorities had not found the owner.
Unless the snake is hungry, it may remain "tucked away in a
corner somewhere" for several days, Pauly said.
"It's not in its usual home (in captivity)," Pauly said. "It's
probably freaking out a little bit. It's probably quite anxious
about this situation — as I'm sure the neighbors are as well."
Update From Hal Eisner:
If you've never heard of an albino monocled cobra it's because
they're not from around here. Experts say they're from Southeast
Asia. So, the fact that one was seen crawling around a Thousand
Oaks neighborhood had locals freaked out. They talked about how
"unsettling" it is to hear such a creature is slithering around
their neighborhood and how "nerve wracking" it is that such a
creature is on the loose.
Monday night it bit a 7-year-old Whippet named "Tiko." That's
one lucky dog. The experts say that 17% of the bites from this type
of snake are not venomous. "Tiko" was in that 17% and now is
jumping around and barking like nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Animal control officers searching the area for the
snake think it may be from a local home but no one is fessing
up.
Jules Sylvester works with snakes for TV shows, movies and
documentaries. He says just like a bite from a rattlesnake "You go
to the hospital real fast.” He thinks the 4-footer is probably
hiding under brush or logs. Animal Control brought him in, he says,
to help in the search. To Sylvester, the snake should surface but
it's color may work against it. “It's got to eat," he says. "When
it comes out to eat it gets spotted either by humans or birds of
prey or anything else like that.” What does it eat? Rats and mice
and other snakes are what Thousand Oaks offers for dinner.
Meanwhile, some neighbors like Rick Eddy are philosophical
saying “For me, snakes will let you know either stay away or hello
and you better have the brains to leave it alone."
While others won't rest until it's caught. “It's kind of nerve
wracking," says neighbor Tyler Nunn, "...there's a snake going
around… that could kill us.”
Animal Control officials say if you see the snake stay away and
call 9-1-1
