Park-goers not scared of snake

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SEATTLE, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Visitors to a Seattle park said they were not worried about signs warning of an escaped 6-to-7-foot python in the area.

Crown Park visitors Tuesday said they were keeping an eye out for the snake, which police said escaped from its homeless owner around 2 p.m. Monday, but the non-venomous snake did not keep them from bringing children and pets to the park, The Seattle Times reported Wednesday.

Jennifer Pramuk, a herpetologist and the animal curator for Woodland Park Zoo, said the snake, a reticulated python, is mostly dangerous to small dogs and cats. However, she said humans should keep a safe distance away from the reptile if it is spotted in the park.

"They should not try to pretend they're on Discovery Channel," Pramuk said. "Reticulated pythons are not venomous, but they can inflict a severe bite."