9-Foot Python 'Sir Hiss-a-lot' Found In IA Yard Has New Home In IL: Reports

ILLINOIS — A reticulated python that turned up in a yard in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has slithered on to greener pastures with a new home in Illinois, according to reports.

Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control on May 12 introduced its social media followers to the python, which the agency named Sir Hiss-a-lot and which cannot legally be owned in the state of Iowa.

“Officer Timm was called out for a snake in someone’s yard — and let’s just say, this was not what she was expecting to wrangle before coffee,” the agency said in a Facebook post, which included a photo of the enormous reptile.

The 9-foot reptile spent five days at animal control under the agency’s stray hold policy before departing for Illinois, according to The Gazette, which noted that reticulated pythons are legal to have in the Prairie State and that Sir Hiss-a-lot's new caretaker has experience with such snakes.

“Our famous slithery guest, Sir Hiss-a-Lot the reticulated python, has officially checked out of Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control,” the agency posted on May 17 on Facebook. “He was safely picked up this morning and is currently en route to a new home out of state where he’ll have plenty of room to stretch out all … alllll the way out.”

Native to Southern Asia, reticulated pythons are among the largest snakes in the world and can grow up to 28.5 feet long and 320 pounds, according to Zoo Atlanta, which added they can live for 20 years or more.

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