Snake in Lake Hopatcong a Green Anaconda, Expert Says

A reptile expert who attempted on Thursday to catch the large snake navigating Lake Hopatcong says it's an anaconda and he was told not to say anything to avoid a public panic.

Gerald Andrejcak, a reptile specialist who works for Common Sense for Animals, said he's known the species since last week, but was "sworn to keep my mouth shut by local officials to avoid causing a panic," according to NJ.com.

"Now that there's a panic, I'm going on the record," he told NJ.com.

Andrejcak said the snake is a green anaconda, about 15 to 16 feet long. The snake has been described as a boa constrictor. An anaconda is part of the boa family, Andrejcak said.

The green anaconda is "pound for pound the largest snake in the world," according to National Geographic. Anacondas can grow to more than 29 feet and weigh more than 550 pounds.

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Andrejcak nearly captured the snake on Thursday near a boat house on South Jersey Avenue, but the anaconda swam away through his legs. Andrejcak described the snake's head as being as big as his hand.

Andrejcak said he decided to release the species of the snake on Friday because the owner of the boat house is concerned for his young children and wants the situation to be taken seriously, according to the Daily Record.

The snake was first spotted last week. The snake has been seen numerous times since then, causing fear, anxiety and lots of gossip in the lake community. The boa even has its own Twitter page.