Crime & Safety
Reports Of Extremely Venomous African Viper Spotted Loose In OC Neighborhood Were Faked, Police Say
An Orange County resident reported the snake to the police, alleging that he had seen it in a neighborhood tree.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Reports of a venomous and potentially deadly snake spotted loose in a residential area of Orange County this week were determined to be faked, authorities said Tuesday.
The viper — identified as a Gaboon viper, was reported in a Santa Ana neighborhood this week by the Santa Ana Police Department.
The initial reports of the viper struck concern across Orange County as the story was picked up by several outlets, including CBSLA, KTLA and Patch.
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to police, the viper was said to be roughly four to five feet long.
"Gaboon vipers are highly venomous and are not native to North America," the Santa Ana Police Department wrote in a statement. "We are asking the public to please be aware of your surroundings. If you see the snake, do not approach or attempt to handle it."
Gaboon viper are not typically found in California, as they are native to Central, East and West Africa and are commonly found on the forest floor, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
According to the institute, Gaboon vipers can grow to more than six feet in length and are known to eat small and medium-sized mammals and birds.
Although the vipers rarely attack humans, police advised residents that they can bite when stepped on.
"Gaboon vipers have a placid nature and very rarely bite humans," the Smithsonian website reads. "Most bites occur when the snake is stepped on before it has an opportunity to get away. If harassed, it will raise the upper part of its body and hiss in threat before actually striking."
The incident follows a recent string of snake sightings on Orange County beaches.
This month, a highly-venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was confronted by guests visiting Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach.
In a news report published by CBSLA, the snake was discovered by a Jackie Aguilar, who was visiting the beach in Orange County on Friday, Sept. 11.
A video published to CBSLA showed Aguilar's family trying to help the snake, which was on the sandy shoreline, get back into the water.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the last time a yellow-bellied sea snake was spotted in Orange County waters was during the last El Niño period of 2018 through 2019.
In addition, two rattlesnakes were spotted during two separate incidents at the same beach in August and September.
If spotted, residents were urged to avoid the viper and contact the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-834-4211.
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