Teenagers Find Huge Dead Boa Constrictor While Swimming in River

A large boa constrictor, spanning around eight feet long, was found dead in a river by two teenagers in eastern France.

France's L'Est Républicain reported two school boys in Voujeaucourt, a commune in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, came across the dead snake on Wednesday while they were swimming in the Doubs, despite there being a ban on swimming in the river.

The boa constrictor, which is usually found in Central and South America, was reported to have a nauseating smell, according to those at the scene, the French regional newspaper reported.

L'Est Républicain reported that Martine Voidey, the mayor of Voujeaucourt, said the discovery took place under a bridge.

The newspaper also reported that a local senior magistrate said the animal had to be examined by wildlife specialist.

The origins of the dead snake are unknown. Newsweek has contacted France's ASPAS (Association for the Protection of Wild Animal) and the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) for comment.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in the U.S. says: "Boa constrictors are non-venomous snakes found in Central and South America. They are named after their mode of predation: constriction.

"Boa constrictors are found from northern Mexico to Argentina. Of all the boas, constrictors can live in the greatest variety of habitats ranging from sea level to moderate elevation, including deserts, wet tropical forests, open savannas and cultivated fields."

While the boa constrictor has "impressive swimming abilities," the Smithsonian website notes it "shows little inclination toward swimming in water."

"Instead, boa constrictors prefer to stay on dry land, either inside of hollow logs or abandoned animal burrows," the website explains.

Other recent snake discoveries

Earlier this week, a "chunky" highly venomous snake was found hiding in a garden near the front door of a house in Australia.

Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie from the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, who was called to remove and relocate the snake, said in a video posted on Facebook: "It's just amazing how such a big snake—like this snake's so thick and probably about four, five foot long—can just disappear."

The Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers were also called for help last week after a python was found basking in the sun at the back of a café.

A video posted by the group showed a worker show up at the café to find the carpet python wrapped around a tree at the back of its garden.

With one hand placed right behind the animal's head, the snake expert managed to pry the snake, which was estimated to be just over six feet long, away from the tree.