A North Carolina resident's zebra cobra snake is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 1:30 AM on Sunday, June 27. 

What Happened?

The people living in the vicinity were alerted by local police authorities, who sent out a warning message regarding the venomous zebra cobra snake. The snake isn't local to the area and even the United States. The snake originally comes from Africa, and according to the African Snake Bite Institute that the snake's nature is naturally shy and would rather escape than attack.

However, if the animal is cornered, it will spit or bite, releasing venom that can cause severe tissue damage bad enough to be fatal. The zebra cobra is a nocturnal reptile and has black vertical stripes, and has either a brown or dark blackhead.

The residents spoke with WRAL that they had no idea that one of their neighbors' pet snakes was living in the vicinity and that it had escaped. The families were concerned for their children and pets that might accidentally come across the escaped animal and fall victim to fatal injuries.

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Raleigh Neighbors Speak Out

Mark Pavlic, a concerned citizen within the area, said to WRAL, "It is pretty alarming. It seems like a pretty dangerous snake, and dogs like to sniff in the grass and check things out ... It's an extreme worry." Since then, residents are on high alert and are keeping a close eye out for the venomous snake.

As per the North Carolina state law, it is the owners' responsibility to keep a venomous snake as long as it is contained in an escape-proof enclosure. It's not illegal to own one if conditions are kept safe and that the owner must also have a countermeasure in the event of the animal escaping from the enclosure together with owning an antivenom to counter any and all bites.

Police have urged the public to call 911 if they see the snake and not get close to it. 

How to Respond to Venomous Snakes

Experts agree that snakes can be dangerous and highly aggressive or the exact opposite who are harmless and non-confrontational. If ever encountering a snake, you always have to leave the snake alone and continue to do so and call the proper authorities.

Snake encounters usually happen in passing, and it's best to leave them alone, and you would most likely not be seeing it again. However, for this instance of a zebra cobra snake, you should immediately vacate the premises or stay a good long distance not to be a target of aggression or self-defense from the snake.

Leave the snake to proper authorities and do not attempt to handle them on your own, as a bite may be considered lethal. Snakes usually bite more than once, and it won't end well for you if you aren't treated immediately with the antivenom.

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Written by Alec G.