The owner of the king cobra that escaped from its enclosure in west Orange County is now speaking out about the snake and its escape.

The 8-foot-long cobra was reported missing Sept. 2, from Mike Kennedy’s facility on North Apopka Vineland Road.

In an exclusive interview, Kennedy was quick to point out the animals he keeps on his property are not pets. His 5-acre property, known as “Dragon Ranch,” is a refuge for abandoned or displaced exotic animals which includes several other snakes, crocodiles, alligators and even a leopard. He has permits for all of the animals, including the king cobra that is believed to still be in the area.

The media attention Kennedy has received has not only been tough for him, but also his family. 

“It’s taken away … it’s put a negative twist on all the good work we do here,” said Kennedy. “Most of the animals we have here are rescues. I’ve picked them up from law enforcement, snakes that came from Winter Park PD, the Windermere Fire Department.”

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Recent storms created water damage in Kennedy’s garage where he houses about a dozen venomous snakes including other cobras – all in locked cages.

The damage affected the cobra’s wooden cage, causing it to weaken and become soggy. That gave the snake just the amount of space it needed to push through the screen and escape.

Kennedy returned from a recent trip, saw the snake was gone, and immediately started the search by emptying his garage and attic several times to search for the cobra.

After not finding the snake, Kennedy called and reported it missing the next day but was fined $366 for not reporting it in a “timely manner.”  Kennedy has been cited in the past for not keeping dangerous reptiles in secure enough enclosures.   

“I know half a dozen snakes that people have lost. Many of them were monocled cobras and they never said a word but I can’t do that,” Kennedy said. “It would just be the wrong thing to do.  It’s too important what I am doing. I have to be straight up and legal, and I was and I have taken a lot of heat for it.”

Kennedy and Florida Fish and Wildlife set up traps around the property to try and catch the snake, but so far, no luck.

“Of course my primary concern is that nobody gets hurt,” Kennedy said. “The chances of that animal hurting somebody are extremely remote. These woods are full of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes – he’s just another snake out there. He’s fast, agile, he sees you coming long before you ever see him and he’s out of your way – he just wants to stay hidden.”

Kennedy said the snake was malnourished and wasn’t doing very well when he acquired it about six months ago and says it would be difficult for the snake to survive the colder winter months.

Snake expert's advice on staying safe

Once it escaped, the snake likely looked for a safe hiding place, according to David Tetzlaff, director of the Central Florida Zoo.

"An animal that is captive and then is not in its usual home, before it thinks of eating or anything, it thinks, 'How do I keep myself safe?'" Tetzlaff said.

Because king cobras — and most snakes, for that matter — aren't comfortable in the heat of the day, they most likely will move at night, when it is cooler. Tetzlaff said a king cobra would try to find the closest, darkest and coolest place to hide, such as under rocks or in sheds and open garages.

Residents near the area should keep their doors closed. If they go out at night, take a flashlight, Tetzlaff warned.

"If you live in the area, don't walk outside at night unless you have to," Tetzlaff said.

Most snake bites occur on the hands and fingers or below the knee, so make sure to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Do not reach under an object outside at night without checking it out first.

King cobra facts

From National Geographic

  • Native to India, southern China and Southeast Asia
  • Comfortable in trees, on land and in water
  • Feed mainly on other snakes, lizards, eggs and small mammals
  • A single bite has enough neurotoxin to kill 20 people or an elephant.
  • Can go up to 18 feet in length
  • Can live in the wild up to 20 years
  • When confronted, they can raise up to one-third of their bodies off the ground and still move forward to attack
  • However, they are shy and avoid humans whenever possible