Residents of an Upper West Side apartment building were in for a surprise Wednesday morning when a 5-foot-long boa constrictor was discovered attempting to enter a basement apartment, prompting a flurry of speculation about its origin.

Discovery and Response

Sam Sullivan, a resident, spotted the snake between his fence and his neighbor’s around 8 a.m. He promptly called 911, leading the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit to the scene. The snake was carefully captured and placed in a polka-dot-colored pillowcase, as shown in NYPD footage, before being handed over to the Animal Care Centers of NYC.

Ownership and Origin Mystery

Police and residents were baffled as to who owned the brown-spotted boa constrictor and how it ended up in the neighborhood. Sam Sullivan described the discovery as an “urban legend,” speculating that it was likely a pet that had escaped and found its way onto his fence.

Community Concerns

The incident left residents, including Alex Noschese, unsettled, especially those with children or pets. Boa constrictors are not legal to own in New York City, according to an Animal Care Centers spokesperson. The snake was subsequently placed with a foster guardian outside of the city.

Similar Incidents

This incident followed closely on the heels of another snake-related surprise in the city. A New Yorker crashed a U-Haul van after discovering a live 3.5-foot white snake under his seat, mistaking it for a toy. The unexpected encounter led to a startled reaction, resulting in a minor accident in Soho.

The appearance of a boa constrictor on the Upper West Side has left the community and authorities puzzled about its origins and ownership. While safely handled and removed from the area, the incident serves as a reminder of the surprises that can occur in urban environments.