Customers pulling up to a fast food in Cary, North Carolina, weren’t expecting to meet a reptilian customer in line. Over the weekend, a local couple spotted a long, scaly creature stretched beneath the drive-thru window. On closer look, it was clearly not a local garter snake—but a boa constrictor measuring over 1.2 meters (around 4 feet).
Rather than panic, the couple calmly used a box to trap the snake and called in the pros. That’s when Talena Chavis, better known as the NC Snake Catcher, arrived on the scene. With nearly a decade of reptile-handling experience, Chavis quickly identified the snake as a boa constrictor, a non-venomous species native to Central and South America—but definitely out of place in suburban North Carolina.
A Calm Capture and Unexpected Turn
The boa was surprisingly mellow. According to Chavis, it showed no signs of aggression or stress, which is unusual for snakes in unfamiliar environments. The healthy condition of the animal led her to believe it had been someone’s pet, either recently escaped or abandoned.
And while most people would run screaming at the sight of a large snake near their food order, the couple’s level-headed actions allowed the animal to be caught without harm. No injuries were reported, and no customers were in danger at any point.
Exotic Pet, Real Responsibilities
Boa constrictors are commonly kept as exotic pets in the U.S., but many owners aren’t prepared for the level of care—or the lifespan. Boas can live 20 to 30 years, grow well over 2 meters (6.5 feet), and require consistent heat and humidity.
When overwhelmed owners release them into the wild, it can lead to unsafe encounters for people, harm to the snake, and serious ecological problems if the animal survives and reproduces.
Chavis emphasized this wasn’t her first exotic snake call. It was her first at a fast-food drive-thru, and the first boa she’s handled in nine years. With no one stepping forward to claim the animal in the days following, one of Chavis’s own team members decided to adopt it.
Snake Safety Tips for the Public
Wildlife officials and reptile experts advise:
- Do not handle unknown snakes, even if they appear calm.
- Call a licensed reptile handler—most wildlife agencies don’t deal with exotic pets.
- Never release unwanted pets. Instead, seek out reptile rescue groups or breeders who accept surrenders.
- If you find an exotic animal in a public space, secure it only if it’s safe, and report the sighting immediately.
A Reptile’s Second Chance
The Cary boa constrictor may have been left behind or simply slithered off from an open enclosure—but either way, it found a better ending than most abandoned pets. Thanks to cool-headed citizens and professionals like Chavis, this wayward reptile avoided injury, fear, and a potentially fatal outcome.
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