Exotic Snake Found In Ditch In RM of Portage

An exotic snake, believed to be a boa constrictor, or perhaps a ball python, was discovered in its terrarium in a ditch by a man in the RM of Portage la Prairie.

The discovery occurred Tuesday morning after a picture of what was thought to be a discarded aquarium was posted on Twitter. RM of Portage resident, Bryan Dion, posted the image on social media to bring attention to illegal dumping in his area.

It wasn’t until a keen observer zoomed in on the picture that the snake was discovered.

“I took a picture of it and posted it on Twitter and expressed my displeasure of people throwing stuff in the ditch,” says Dion. “And my agronomist zoomed in on the picture and saw the snake at the bottom of the aquarium, so we realized there was a dead snake underneath it.”

Dion adds that his wife initially saw the discarded items over the weekend, and can’t be sure if the snake was dumped there in the fall and covered by snow or if it was left there more recently.

He adds that although he is no animal expert, he believes that the reptile is deceased.

“We think it’s dead,” Dion says. “I’m an agronomist, so I’m not an animal expert. I don’t know if it's hibernating or if it's dead, it's probably dead, but I have no idea.”

As for the snake, RM of Portage animal control officials picked it up to dispose of.

Garth Asham, the RM of Portage councillor that oversees the ward where the snake was found says this is a first during his years serving on council.

“This is a first for us to see an exotic animal discarded in a disgusting way that is very irresponsible of the owners,” Asham says. “I’m just totally flabbergasted that people would treat animals like this, and again, its an exotic animal. It’s not meant to be outside, not in these temperatures anyway.”

Asham says that in the past the RM has received calls about improperly disposed of deer carcasses, and fish skins and scales, but never anything like a boa constrictor.