Missing Snake, Bertha, Found Safe In Hamptons

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Bertha, the missing anaconda that had police far and wide searching for her, has been found safe and sound.

According to an update from the Suffolk County SPCA, Bertha slithered out from under the dash while the owner while driving the van to an event. The owner felt tugging on his seat belt and when he looked down, there was Bertha. She was well hidden under the dash even though the van had been thoroughly searched, the SPCA said.

The Suffolk County SPCA said they received a call to assist in the search for the missing yellow and brown, 9' anaconda at the end of the street off Bay Avenue West in Hampton Bays that escaped from the owner's property Tuesday.

Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA, five members of Blue Knights 1, a law enforcement motorcycle club and Southampton Town Police responded to the location in an attempt to locate the snake, the SPCA said.

The green anaconda is a non-venomous snake but it may bite if frightened; it is a constrictor, the SPCA said.

Southampton Town Police said the snake escaped from a local reptile breeder.