A highly venomous Gaboon Viper snake has been discovered loose in a residential neighbourhood in Orange County, California, prompting urgent warnings from local authorities. The snake, which is not native to North America and is considered extremely dangerous, was last spotted in a tree near Main Street and Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana, with police urging residents to avoid the area and not approach the reptile if encountered.

The snake, estimated to be four to five feet long, was photographed in a resident's backyard by Joel Ciprian, who immediately alerted police. Although some social media users questioned whether the photograph was artificially generated, the Santa Ana Police Department is treating the sighting as genuine and has launched a comprehensive search in conjunction with the Southern California Herpetology Association. Gaboon Vipers, native to African rainforests, are amongst the world's largest and heaviest vipers with the highest venom yield of any snake species; however, they possess a placid temperament and rarely bite unless stepped upon, and they can control whether to inject venom and in what quantity when striking, meaning outcomes can range from no effect to rapid death. If captured, the snake will be quarantined and transported to an exotic animal sanctuary, and no snake-related injuries have been reported to date.