The skin of a giant snake was found near a river in Maine.
The origin of the snakeskin could be from a 10-foot-snake, nicknamed “Wessie.” It was spotted near a playground in Westbrook, Maine, in June.
The Westbrook Police Department, in a statement on Saturday, wrote that a “citizen reported finding a shed snake skin, pictured in the attached photograph, along the Presumpscot River near the carry-in boat launch in the area of Riverbank Park.”
“Westbrook Police Officers responded, photographed, collected, and tagged the skin which will be examined in attempts to determine what type of snake shed it and what risks this type of snake poses to public safety,” the statement added.
The department then cautioned residents, saying the snake is a likely “safety risk.”
“We caution people who recreate along the Presumpscot River to remain alert, maintain a safe distance from any wildlife, and report any sightings of the snake to the Westbrook Police Department,” the statement read.
Officers spotted the snake earlier this year eating a beaver, according to local reports.
According to WMTW-TV, officers saw the snake swim across the Presumpscot River to Brown Street.
They estimated that the snake is at least 10 feet in length.
Police are still trying to determine the type of snake.
“Obviously this is not an animal indigenous to Maine, so one would assume it was released. Perhaps some recall the viper located on a Saco pedestrian trail back in 2010,” the department said several months ago.
“Should anyone observe the snake please give us a call and do not attempt to capture it yourself,” officials warned.
