Des Moines resident warns neighbors after 6-foot python sighting

Barbara Miller, a resident of Waterbury Neighborhood in Des Moines, posted signs after spotting a 6-foot-long python in her backyard. Initially mistaking it for a stick, she realized her error and contacted animal control for assistance. Jay Tetzloff, Chief Animal Officer at the Blank Park Zoo, suggested the snake was likely an albino python, which might survive temporarily in Iowa's summer if it learned to hunt local rodents. He cautioned, however, that the snake would not survive the winter months. Iowa's regulations make owning a pet python illegal, adding urgency to the situation.

Miller's proactive approach in alerting her neighbors highlights community safety concerns. She remains on alert for future sightings, planning to contact authorities again if the snake reappears. This incident raises awareness about exotic pet ownership and wildlife safety in urban areas.