MORGANTOWN – West Virginia has its share of legendary creatures, the Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, the Grafton Monster, even Bigfoot has reportedly been spotted roaming remote ares of the state. Now, another creature’s legend is growing.
Over two weeks have passed since a python, reportedly over 15 feet long and 4 inches in diameter, escaped a vehicle in the area of Eljadid Street in Sabraton but the behemoth reptile has not been seen since its now famous getaway. The lack of sightings of such a large animal has led some to question the authenticity of the story and rumors swirl about its size and species.
The Morgantown Police Department insists the story is true. The reptile’s owner told officers the snake escaped its enclosure inside his truck and when the snake got out, he bolted allowing the snake to make a smooth getaway. Police reportedly had a visual on the snake for a moment during the initial search but lost sight of it in the woods.
“I’ve had snakes loose in my house and buildings. I’ve had numerous calls about snakes in a house and you’d think you could find them very easily but they’re hard to find. But a big python like that should be very easily seen,” said longtime Division of Natural Resources Biologist and snake expert Frank Jernejcic on WAJR’s Talk of the Town.
Since that brief sighting by Morgantown Police, no has seen any sign of the python while its legend has continued to grow.
Rumors around the snake, which has its own Twitter account with over 3,600 followers, range from the whole story being a hoax, to the reptile being a much larger spiecies. Warnings have been issued to residents in the area where the snake reportedly escaped to be mindful of small pets and children outside, Jernejcic insists the snake does not pose much of a threat.
“They don’t have to move around a lot. They don’t have to feed very oftern. They aren’t going to be out looking to attack anybody,” Jernejcic explained.
Jernejcic said a snake that large does not have to eat very often and if it is slithering through the woods in Sabraton, it will probably be discovered on accident when the snake is looking for food or warmth. Otherwise, Jerejcic speculated the snake has found a comfortable spot to stay warm and out of sight.
Without any new sightings or fresh information, organized searches for the python have been called off. If anyone happens to come upon the celebrity serpant, you’re advised to call 911 immediately.
While its legend may grow on social media as more time passes without it being spotted, Jerenjicic believes the West Virginia winter will prevent it from reaching the same status as the state’s other “mythical” creatures.
“When it gets to 40 degrees or lower, it will likely die.”
At least for the Summer of 2019, you can add the Sabraton Snake to the list of creatures such as the Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster and other creatures that some swear they have seen and others will insist are nothing more than a figment of imagination.