The municipality of Saint-André-de-Sangonis in southern France issued a public alert after an albino boa constrictor escaped from its home over the weekend.
Town hall officials published a notice on Facebook on Tuesday morning, urging residents near the centre of the commune to take immediate precautions after the reptile went missing. Municipal staff reported that the pet escaped near the Chemin de la Peyre, a street located close to the town center.
Local authorities advised residents to keep the doors and windows of their homes closed to prevent the animal from gaining entry. Municipal officials also asked pet owners to keep domestic animals on leashes while outdoors as a precautionary measure.
Appearance and hunting habits
The missing reptile is described as an albino boa constrictor with distinct yellow and orange skin. Municipal services noted that the animal is socialised to human presence and is expected to move primarily during the night.
Town representatives sought to reassure the community by confirming that the snake is non-venomous and hunts exclusively small rodents. Authorities added that the reptile had been fed shortly before its escape, meaning it does not present any immediate danger or heightened hunting drive.
Although the boa constrictor poses no direct threat to humans, officials warned that it can bite or attack if it feels cornered or threatened. The species typically preys on small mammals and birds, killing them through constriction by wrapping its body tightly around them before swallowing them whole.
Exotic pet ownership and local geography
Boa constrictors are large, heavy-bodied snakes native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Albino variants lack dark melanin pigments, resulting in bright yellow, orange, or cream patterns across their scales. In France, keeping a boa constrictor as a non-domestic pet is permitted under specific environmental regulations governing exotic animal ownership.
Saint-André-de-Sangonis is a commune located in the Hérault department within the Occitanie region of southern France. Situated in the Hérault river valley roughly 30 kilometres west of the regional center of Montpellier, the town is home to several thousand residents.
Reporting sightings to emergency services
Municipal authorities strongly requested that members of the public avoid attempting to catch or approach the reptile if they spot it. Anyone who sees the snake is asked to contact emergency services or law enforcement immediately.
Residents can report sightings to the municipal police on 06 82 57 17 58, the national gendarmerie on 17, or the local fire department on 18. Emergency responders and local police forces remain prepared to respond to any reported sightings in the area.
