Snakes in suburbs have officials hopping

This is not some bogus story about a 6-foot-long boa constrictor found in a Warrenville forest preserve.

It's a Boagus story.

DuPage County Forest Preserve District rangers investigating a case of illegal garbage dumping Tuesday evening found themselves face-to-face with the critter.

Fortunately for all concerned, this was one relaxed reptile.

Although the door of his large wooden and glass cage was open, the constrictor, named Boagus, did not venture out.

He's now housed with DuPage County Animal Care and Control in Wheaton while authorities sort out his origins. It's possible the snake came from a school, officials speculate.

It's been a busy week for reptiles in the area with the sighting of a 7-foot snake in a neighborhood near Burr Ridge Monday, which is still AWOL.

Boagus' cage caught the attention of forest preserve ranger Jennifer Abraham around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday while she was driving on a service road in Blackwell Forest Preserve.

She thought someone had dumped their garbage there. But a closer inspection by another forest preserve officer revealed the constrictor curled up in a corner.

While, as Abraham acknowledged, "it's not good to have a boa constrictor on the loose," Boagus behaved like a gentleman.

Forest preserve ranger Mark Spencer handled the snake cautiously at first, then with more confidence as the reptile calmly submitted to being placed in a district cage for transport.

"He was very docile," Abraham said.

A biological sciences textbook was found inside the cage along with a nametag and a list of feeding times taped to the door.

A black pickup truck was seen speeding near where the cage was left, one preserve visitor reported.

DuPage Animal Control Executive Director Kerry Vinkler said the agency will hold the snake for a week, then try to place it with a rescue service.

Boagus appeared in good health, she said.

Exotic animals such as iguanas, bearded dragons and even fish arrive regularly at the shelter. Often owners don't realize how large their pet will grow and how much care they require, so they abandon them.

"Look into the type of pet you're getting," Vinkler said. "Please do the research and be educated."

The first snake was found in the driveway of a Burr Ridge family. It resembles a boa constrictor but hasn't been positively identified since it slithered off before anyone could catch it.

"We're asking anyone who's seen the snake to call police right away," Cook County sheriff's police spokeswoman Penny Mateck said.

The DuPage Forest Preserve District is keeping Boagus' cage in case someone claims it. For information, call (630) 933-7200.