Giant Boa Found in Car Engine at Mexican Garage

JOSÉ MARÍA MORELOS, MX. — A boa constrictor measuring more than three meters in length, the largest specimen located so far this year, was discovered this Tuesday coiled atop the engine of a car at a mechanic shop located at the entrance to the city, on the road to Polyuc, right beside the vehicular arch.

The discovery occurred shortly after eight in the morning when a mechanic identified as Diego Mukul, 50, lifted the vehicle’s hood for an inspection and encountered the enormous reptile wrapped around the engine.

Faced with the situation, he decided to call the fire department to handle the rescue. Personnel from the corporation responded to the location and, after several minutes of maneuvering, managed to remove the snake without causing it harm.

The snake was placed in a sack and released in an area far from the city so it could be returned to its natural habitat.

Authorities reported that from June to the present date, approximately 30 reports of snakes in homes, public buildings, and mechanic shops have been addressed. They indicated that recent rains and humidity encourage these reptiles to seek refuge in warm, dry spaces, such as automobiles.

They reminded the public that the boa constrictor is not venomous and is listed as a threatened species under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001. They recommend not killing the snakes, but rather reporting them to the authorities for safe rescue and release.