MILL CREEK, Wash. — In early July, a maintenance team discovered four ball pythons in a local nature preserve. Snakes in a nature preserve wouldn’t normally be news, but these were quite the slithery surprise, given they were several thousand miles away from their natural habitat.

Ball pythons, native to Africa, are not part of the local ecosystem, and it’s believed the four snakes were likely pets abandoned in the Mill Creek Community Association’s Nature Reserve.

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Scott Petersen, a.k.a The Reptile Man, a local expert in exotic animal care, said two of the four survived by the time he located them in the preserve after receiving the initial report.

He safely captured them and transported them to his Reptile Zoo in Monroe, a private collection of reptiles, and says they will be rehomed.

In a post to community members, The Mill Creek Community Association emphasized the potential harm of releasing non-native species into the wild. “It may seem harmless, but releasing into the wild can cause serious harm to local wildlife and to the animals themselves,” the association said. “Non-native species can disrupt the natural balance of our preserves. If you can no longer care for your pet, seek out a local rescue or rehoming service.”

Isaac Petersen, Scott’s son, runs the Reptile Zoo. He explained the challenges these snakes face in the wild.

“Even in the summertime, the nights are just too cold. They don’t do well. If you don’t pick ’em up soon, they’re gonna die,” he said. Petersen noted that the snakes were “great looking” but a little skinny, adding, “As long as they are eating, we’ll get them back up to weight, they’ll be fine.”

Ball pythons are non-venomous and typically range from 2 to 4.5 feet in length, though they can grow up to 6 feet long.

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Petersen highlighted the importance of long-term commitment when adopting such pets, as they can live 15 to 30 years. “Everybody has got to think long-term,” he said.

Michelle Greene, a local resident, expressed concern about the discovery.

“That’s kind of a little scare for me as a mom,” she said. Her 11-year-old son, Jesse Greene, added, “I think that’s not responsible. You should do something to make sure the animal is safe and then follow through to the next step.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the importance of considering the long-term welfare of exotic animals.

Petersen said they will easily adopt the snakes out.

“They’re babies, everyone loves baby animals. And they’re also morphs (unusual color/pattern), so everyone loves the different variations out there. Ball pythons are the most common pet snake now in the US,” said Isaac.

After 30 years in business, The Reptile Zoo plans to close on Oct. 18.

Petersen said it’s been a financial struggle ever since COVID, and the private collection can only operate if it can support itself. Signs inside the Zoo encourage visitors to get the word out and encourage others to visit one last time.