‘No Sign of a Snake’ in Lake Hopatcong, DEP Says

The story of the summer for residents in the Lake Hopatcong area continues to slither along, but if you ask the state, it’s not much of a story at all. 

According to dailyrecord.com, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says that while numerous sightings have been reported, the lack of photos, videos, or contact with a state representative with a reported 15-20-foot snake makes the story, well, not much of a story at all.

DEP spokesman Larry Ragonese told the newspaper there is no hard evidence such an exotic species – originally reported as a boa constrictor, later considered to be a green anaconda – exists in the lake. 

“Fish and Wildlife folks staked out the area the snake had reportedly been seen all weekend, spent part of a night there, we've been in touch with local animal control, and found no sign of a snake,” Ragonese said in the report.

Rumors of the slithering swimmer began to grow in early July, with some residents saying they spotted the snake, likely a boa constrictor, somewhere between 14- and 20-feet in length. Animal Control Officer Dale Sloat told My9’s Chasing New Jersey he was concerned for small animals and babies that may be in the area of the lake.

A reptile expert flipped the story on it head, however, when he said a green anaconda between 15 and 16-feet long swam between his legs while he was searching the lake. 

The DEP has set up humane traps in the area the snake has been reportedly seen, the dailyrecord.com report said. Once the snake enters the metal contraption, it will not be able to exit, but will not be harmed, either, the report said.