Officials: King cobra on the loose, escaped home in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Wildlife officials say they are searching for an 8-foot-long king cobra snake that escaped from a home in Orlando.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Greg Workman says the snake was reported missing Wednesday by its owner.

Officials say the non-native, venomous snake is green and yellow.

Workman says the snake’s owner has the proper permit to keep it as a pet and officials say the owner is an experienced snake handler.

Wildlife officials say they have been canvassing the area looking for the snake.

Officials warn residents not to approach the reptile if they see it and instead urge them to contact the agency’s alert hotline.