An 8-foot-long king cobra is reportedly on the loose in Florida after it escaped from its cage in the 4800 block of North Apopka Vineland Road in Orlando, Fla.
"It wasn't deliberately let out from what we can see. Looks like it escaped its cage it was in," said Capt. Chris Roszkowiak of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
While a shocking revelation for locals, the snake is relatively small for a king cobra. While this snake only measures at 8 feet, they can grow to be as long as 18 feet in length.
The privately owned, non-native, venomous snake was reported to have escaped from its owner, Mike Kennedy on Wednesday. Kennedy is a licensed animal dealer and star of the Discovery Channel reality show "Airplane Repo," reported NBC's Orlando affiliate WESH.
Due to his license, he won't face any criminal charges for having the snake. However, officials do say he may face criminal penalties for not telling authorities about the escape on Tuesday, when it actually occurred.
Now Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are on the hunt for the escaped reptile who they believe is likely still in the immediate area, according to Central Florida News.
"Most likely nobody is going to see it," Roszkowiak said. "We believe it's going to stay on the property here, which is a heavily wooded area. But on the remote chance it does leave this area and if someone does see it, please call our number so we can try to recapture the snake. But please do not approach it, don't corner it or let any animals at it."
The resulting search has prompted the cancellation of all outdoor activities of nearby schools.
The reptile is described as being green and white, and is likely hunting for other lizards, small mammals or other forms of prey, according to CNN.
If you come across the snake, the FWC asks that you report it to the alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
