Boa constrictors typically are found in warm, tropical climates -- not in Holyoke.
HOLYOKE -- City police wrangled a "large snake" from a lot at 100 Beech St. on Monday afternoon, according to Holyoke Police Lt. Michael Higgins.
"Someone called to say there's a big snake in the lot. It was a boa constrictor," Higgins said Tuesday.
And it was a good-sized snake, according to the lieutenant, who didn't have the boa's precise measurements handy.
Police received the report shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday, when responding officers instantly noticed the large reptile.
"It was in an open lot there," Higgins said of the Beech Street location.
Police did not speculate how the animal got there, but it was taken away by the city's animal control officer.
Boa constrictors typically are found in warm, tropical climates throughout the Caribbean and sections of Central, North and South America -- not in Holyoke.
The carnivores enjoy dining on rats and just about any other animal it can get its jaws around -- including monkeys and pigs, according to NationalGeographic.com.
Boas can grow to up to 13 feet and weigh 100 pounds.
Higgins said he was not sure what will become of the animal, adding that it could wind up in a local pet shop if no claims the snake.
THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of 100 Beech St., Holyoke, where police found a large boa constrictor Monday afternoon: