Snakes still loose in Ross spark interest, but not much fear

It’s been an anxious week for Ross residents since a 3-foot albino python was first seen slithering through the outfield grass near the baseball diamond at Ross Community Park on the Fourth of July.

Though pythons are nonvenomous, the U.S. Geological Survey says the snakes can be dangerous because they are constrictors and can harm humans by wrapping around them and causing mild to fatal injuries.

The man who released the python also let loose a 7-foot long rat snake, which is native to Pennsylvania, a 7-foot Brendli python, and two juvenile ball pythons that are each about 1.5 feet long, according to Ross Township Police. They are still at large.

However, on a warm Wednesday night it was business as usual at the park. Though there was no one on the baseball field, children and adults were playing on the basketball court. And there were families enjoying time on the playground.

Nevertheless, people have expressed a variety of concerns — from the whereabouts of the missing snakes and the mental state of the person who turned them loose to the condition of the albino python, now known as “Naners” because of its banana like color.

It was behaving playfully while handled by an employee at its temporary home, Sara’s Pets and Plants in Sharpsburg, on Wednesday and, if any snake could be called cute, this might be the one. They’re hoping to find a forever home for Naners. Those interested can contact the store https://saraspetsandplants.com.

Parents at the park are being extra vigilant but Matt Miller, 41, West View, who has one daughter, said he would be more concerned if the snakes were venomous.

“I know they can constrict and things like that, but I’m not as concerned knowing they were pets and just released,” Miller said. “But my mom was concerned. She called and said ‘keep an eye out for those snakes’ but me, personally, I’m not too concerned about it. What I am more concerned about is there have been black bear sightings in Ross Township. I’m more concerned about a bear than a snake.”

Alan Mathieu, 36, Shaler, was keeping a close eye on his daughters Aly, 5 and Lucy, 3, as they frolicked in the playground area.

“Not that I’m fearful or anything but (snakes) are definitely not something you want to have roaming around for safety reasons,” Mathieu said. “It’s not going to stop me from going places, but it makes you think twice if they are in the area and they run into a grassy field what could happen. It’s a parent’s worst fear.”

Though that fear is strong, so is the concern for the welfare of little Naners.

“The snake is doing well,” said Sara Smith, who owns the pet store where Naners is staying. “Ball pythons and most other non-native snake species will not be able to survive the winter in this area. They also pose a threat to our native flora and fauna when they are released into the wild. If you encounter a non-native snake in the wild, it is best to contact our facility or another professional, to safely transport it to a rescue such as Sara’s Pets and Plants.”

Messages to the Ross Township Police Department seeking comment were not immediately returned. However, this message was posted on its Facebook page; “The Ross Police have been actively investigating the release of the python that was located at the Municipal Center grounds. As a result, we have been able to determine that a total of 5 snakes were released by the owner and 4 are still unaccounted for. We are looking for 1 Brendli Python (7 ft.) 1 Rat Snake (7 ft.) and 2 Juvenile Ball Pythons (1.5 ft.) None of these snakes are venomous, however we are asking anyone spotting them to stay clear and call 911.”