Missing king cobra snake found under dryer near Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Elvis is back in the building.

Elvis, the missing king cobra snake, was returned to its owner’s home near Orlando after being on the loose for more than a month.

A woman who lives about a half-mile from owner Mike Kennedy called Orange County’s animal services Wednesday night after hearing hissing sounds coming from under a clothes dryer in her garage.

Three animal services officers captured the 10-foot snake using special tongs. The snake was too large for a traditional snake box so the animal services officers placed Elvis in a cat cage and put it in a soft carrier for extra security.

Students at a nearby elementary school weren’t allowed outside for recess during the early days of the search for Elvis.

And a witty Twitter user even created an account for the missing snake with the tagline, “I’m on the loose in Orlando. Keep Away!”

By late Wednesday, the latest post on the Orlando King Cobra account said, “Singing the Folsom Prison Blues tonight. Oh well at least I get three squares a day now.”

The owner’s wife, Valerie Kennedy, positively identified Elvis and state wildlife officials scanned Elvis for microchip-identification before returning to its owners.

Mike Kennedy pleaded not guilty this week to a misdemeanor charge for failing to immediately report the snake missing.