There have been recent reports that a giant snake is living in Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey. According to several witnesses who say they have seen the snake, it is between 15 and 20 feet long.

Animal control services have been called to locate and remove the snake from the lake, but many of them are not sure what kind of snake they are looking for. Some people claim the snake is a boa constrictor and others say it is an anaconda.

How the snake got into the lake is a mystery as well, but it is not uncommon for pet owners to release unwanted animals into the wild or for them to escape on their own.

One animal control expert who is searching for the snake says that the snake is a gigantic green anaconda. He also says he was told not to reveal the type of snake it was because officials were afraid it would cause a panic.

“It’s a green anaconda,” Reptile specialist Gerald Andrejcak said. “I’ve known its species (since last week), but I was sworn to keep my mouth shut by local officials to avoid causing a panic. Now that there’s a panic, I’m going on the record.”

Many people have spotted the snake over the last few weeks. Several boaters, fishermen and people who live near the lake have called animal control to report a large snake swimming in the lake.

Andrejcak said that the snake is not likely to attack people unless they threaten it. Anacondas are members of the boa constrictor family and squeeze their pray to kill it before they eat it. He suggests that anyone who sees the snake should avoid getting too close to it or trying to capture it themselves. Instead, they should call the police or animal control.

Do you think there is really an anaconda swimming in the New Jersey lake?

Image via Wikimedia Commons