Deadly 8-Foot King Cobra on the Loose in Florida

Residents in one Orlando neighborhood are on edge as Florida wildlife officials continue their search for an 8-foot king cobra that escaped from its cage Tuesday night.

Discovery Channel’s Mike Kennedy, who stars on “Airplane Repo,” reported the snake missing on Wednesday. The call to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has prompted an extensive search for the creature. Kennedy, several news outlets have reported, is a licensed exotic animal dealer. Wildlife officials have said, license or not, he could face criminal penalties for not letting them know about the missing snake sooner.

As the search continues for the cobra, an Orange County school located near Kennedy’s home has cancelled all outdoor activities, according to WFTV. Kennedy lives in the 4800 block of North Apopka Vineland Road.

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King cobras are not native to Florida. Considered among the most venomous snakes on the planet, the creatures can reach up to 18 feet in length, according to National Geographic. While their venom isn’t considered the most potent, “the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite – up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce – is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant,” National Geographic’s website states. The carnivores are primarily found in China, India and Southeast Asia.

Wildlife officials constructed traps to catch the creature on Friday, but had not yet been successful in capturing the snake as of Saturday morning. While it is believed the snake will likely remain on Kennedy’s heavily wooded property, residents in the area are urged to be cautious. Anyone that spots the creature is asked to call 1-888-404-FWCC immediately.

Photo courtesy of NDN video/WESH.com

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 9:08 a.m. Sept. 5 with information on the continued search.