The Alex Villalta family are not dog or cat lovers, they took their pet life a little seriously and kept a 15-foot reticulated python as a pet. A pet that has become part of their family, so they named it ‘Big Mama’.
Big Mama has two chambers in the home, during the day, it hangs out in an outdoor sanctuary and sleeps in the garage at night. According to the family, their kid loves Big Mama. However, they mistakingly left Big Mama’s cage opened on July 3, and the animal took to its heels and sneaked out into the neighborhood. The Villalatas have not yet located Big Mama, and they seem pretty worried.
They are not so worried that Big Mama will bite someone, rather, they are worried that someone will kill Big Mama out of fear, and they are pleading with their neighbors 31 miles outside of Los Angeles, California, to take it easy on Big Mama when they see it and not kill it but call 911. According to them, their child will be devastated when the animal dies.
Details via VladTV;
A 15-foot reticulated python nicknamed “Big Mama” has a small community in Chatsworth (31 miles outside of Los Angeles), California, on edge after escaping from her owners’ home on the 10500 block of WIllowbrae Avenue. Big Mama’s escape prompted her owners to issue a warning/plea to the surrounding neighbors, via Facebook, about where she was last seen and what she was likely to prey upon, such as rabbits, cats, and dogs.
“She just fed, but please be aware she has the potential to eat cats, medium and small dogs. Hence, she is a constrictor,” wrote Big Mama’s owner, Alex Villalta. “PLEASE DO NOT KILL HER. She has been a family pet for many years. My son is also extremely sad we lost her. Please help us get her back.”
Reticulated pythons are the longest snakes in the world, and many can grow as long as 30 feet. Additionally, their life expectancy is around 40 years. Reticulated pythons are known to bite and coil when subduing their prey before swallowing their bodies whole.
Okay, I can imagine how edgy the residents are at the moment, hopefully, they find the reptile (Big Mama). The fact that it could be hiding in someone’s room or backyard at the moment is frightening.
