ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Neighbors in one Orange County community are concerned about possible exotic snakes on the loose.
They said new snakes started slithering through their yards following a house fire. A neighbor said the person renting that home was breeding snakes in the garage, which is where firefighters said the flames started.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission worker said records did not show a license to sell the creatures from the home.
The owner of the home said the renter left after the fire and only came back to get the chickens out back. He said the renter did tell him he had a python. An FWC official said depending on the circumstance, FWC may issue a citation or warning and try to help the person get a proper license.
Snakes: What you need to know Of 3,000 species of snakes, only 300 are venomous, and only half of those are capable of inflicting a lethal bite. (NCD)
Pygmy rattlesnake The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida. (Steve A. Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey)
Pygmy rattlesnake The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida. (Todd Pierson)
Pygmy rattlesnake The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida. (Todd Pierson)
Cottonmouth Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county. (Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida)
Cottonmouth Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county. (Todd Pierson)
Cottonmouth Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county. (Todd Pierson)
Juvenile cottonmouth This species loves water and can be found along stream banks, in swamps, on the margins of lakes and in tree-bordered marshes. (Steve A. Johnson, U.S. Geological Society)
Eastern diamondback The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida. (Steve A. Johnson, U.S. Geological Society)
Diamondback rattlesnake The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida. (Luke Smith)
Diamondback rattlesnake The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida. (Luke Smith)
Canebrake rattlesnake The canebrake snake can be distinguished by its grayish-brown or pinkish buff color, with dark bands across its body and a brown or black tail with a rattle at the end. (Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida)
Canebrake rattlesnake The canebrake snake can be distinguished by its grayish-brown or pinkish buff color, with dark bands across its body and a brown or black tail with a rattle at the end. (Jason C. Seitz)
Copperhead Florida is the southern boundary of where copperheads are found, which means it's rare to spot the snake in most of the state. (bobbyfingers/iNaturalist)
Copperhead Florida is the southern boundary of where copperheads are found, which means it's rare to spot the snake in most of the state. (Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida)
Coral snake FWC officials say the coral snake’s venom is the most potent of any snake in North America. (Todd Pierson)
Coral snake FWC officials say the coral snake’s venom is the most potent of any snake in North America. (Todd Pierson)
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Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.
