What started as a routine snake call quickly turned into something far more serious.
Join Gabriel from Gabriel’s Wildlife as we relive the day he was called out to what he thought would be a normal job, only to discover he was dealing with an illegal boa constrictor in Australia.
In this video, we drive back to the original location and retrace exactly what happened, from the initial callout, to the moment Gabriel realised this was no ordinary snake rescue. We break down the capture, what happens next when an illegal exotic animal is seized, and the serious implications these animals pose to Australia’s unique ecosystems.
How did this illegal snake get here? What happens to it now? And what does Australia do to stop the black market animal trade?
This is the reality of Australia’s illegal exotic pet problem.
BOA CONSTRICTOR Boa constrictor are large, non-venomous snakes native to Central America and South America. Known for their incredible strength and striking patterns, they are among the most recognisable constrictor snakes in the world.
Rather than using venom, boa constrictors rely on stealth, patience, and power, ambushing prey and using their muscular bodies to constrict and subdue it. They feed on a variety of animals including rodents, birds, and small mammals, playing an important role as apex predators in their natural ecosystems.
Boa constrictors are highly adaptable and can thrive in rainforests, dry forests, and even semi-arid environments. Despite their intimidating size, they are generally calm animals and are known for being intelligent and surprisingly methodical hunters.
Their beautiful colour patterns, impressive size, and fascinating behaviour have made them one of the most popular exotic snakes in the world, but also one of the most misunderstood.
