Venomous Gaboon viper spotted in Southern California neighborhood, police warn residents
A Gaboon viper, the snake with the longest fangs in the world, was reported roaming a residential area in Southern California, prompting a warning from the Santa Ana Police Department.
Authorities in Santa Ana disclosed that a Gaboon viper, the most heavily fanged snake on record, was observed in a residential neighborhood of Southern California, specifically in a tree close to Main Street and Edinger Avenue. The police department issued a public advisory, asking residents to stay alert, refrain from handling the snake, and call 714-834-4211 if they encounter it. The species, which originates from the tropical regions of central and western Africa, possesses two horn-like projections on its snout and feeds mainly on rodents and birds.
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, bites usually occur when the snake is stepped on, and a hungry individual may strike at any sideways movement. Female Gaboon vipers give birth to 50 to 60 live young. Officials continue to monitor the situation and advise the public to keep a safe distance.
