'Lost' boa constrictor found in owner's basement

A boa constrictor thought to have disappeared from its owner'sWestborohome has been found safe and sound,and it turns out itdidn't slithervery far.

Karen Genge reportedher 1.5-metre snakeMurphy missing Aug.10.

Genge said she thought the snakehad escaped through an open door, but now it appears that's not what happened.

"He was actually in my basement somewhere," she said Monday. "He was fine. Cold but fine."

Genge's home is undergoing renovations, and she believes the noise and vibrationfinally drove Murphy out from wherever he was hiding.

While the thought of a missing boa constrictor lurking in the undergrowth made some of herneighbours nervous, both Genge and reptile experts insisted the snake posed no danger to humans.

Gengehad offered a $300 reward to anyone who found Murphy. She said many people helped hunt for the snake.

"I am really pleased that so many people searched for him."

Ottawa's bylaw department also issued an alert about the missing boa. The city bans some types of pet snakesand owners can face fines, but officials said they didn't know whether Genge'ssnakeis legal or not without seeing it.

The city said the matter is still under investigation.