ORLANDO, Fla. — Wildlife officials have centered their search for an escaped king cobra in a neighborhood near Apopka-Vineland and Silver Star roads Friday.
The non-native, venomous snake escaped Wednesday night from a home on the 4800 block of North Apopka Vineland Road, which is used as a rescue facility for exotic animals.
FWC, along with a half-dozen others who are privately licensed to capture venomous snakes, are focused on searching a 10-acre property surrounding snake owner Mike Kennedy's home.
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Kennedy put out several traps Friday and told investigators he feels confident the snake will go toward the bait in those traps. The traps are made of wire and are being baited with frozen snakes, a tasty treat for most cobras.
The deadly venomous snake could be hiding on the ground or in the trees, officials said. Animal trappers from Georgia have even been brought in to help in the search.
Officials said it's critical to find the cobra, as it could survive in for years in the local environment.
"He has water, he has food. He has plenty of places to hide. He could hang out for a while," said expert Micah Leon.
It's not the first time Kennedy has had a king cobra escape. He's been cited six times in the past for violating rules, officials said.
The last time it happened, the snake was shot by a homeowner who found it in his garage in 2001.
Chris Edson said he had no idea it was the same snake owner.
“Things happen but I can’t believe it’s the same guy,” said Edson. “I was amazed they let him have another permit.”
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Expert Bob Cross is helping search for the snake, but he said locating it in 60 acres of land could be next to impossible.
"It's rough," Cross said. "Got to try to find your way through there, make sure you don't step on or near this snake or another snake. Just walk slow and be careful."
The snake measures 8 feet, which is small by king cobra standards, officials said. They can grow up to 18 feet in length.
"This snake is huge, can inject a lot of venom, so it's dangerous," Cross said.
Channel 9 learned Kennedy has at least one other king cobra and he's also licensed to own a Burmese python, a viper or rattlesnake and venomous lizards, along with several other wild animals.
Experts said the king cobra is nocturnal during this time of the year, and it tends to avoid humans. Experts also said the snake can feel vibrations and its natural reaction is to retreat.
Kennedy is a reality television star for Discovery Channel.
Related story: Experts describe behaviors of king cobras in the wild
Previous story: King cobra that escaped from Orlando home remains missing
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