Thirst Betrays Elusive Reptile : Attic Invader Finally Slithers to Captivity

Jeanenne Morgan never thought she’d be happy, even ecstatic, to find a snake in her house. But when she climbed into her attic Monday night and discovered a 7-foot, 100-pound reticular python tucked in a corner, the reptile brought tears of joy, not fear, to her eyes.

The discovery ended a long series of sleepless nights for Morgan and her sister-in-law, Peggy Pioterek, who have been searching for the fugitive reptile since they discovered it wrapped around their dining room rafters last week. The snake, which escaped from a neighboring apartment while its owner vacationed in New York City, retreated to Morgan’s attic, where it found relief from the summer heat in the attic’s insulation.

Morgan sought the aid of El Cajon police, fire and animal control officials who told her they would not search for the snake in her attic. Four people fell through Morgan’s ceiling in search of the escaped snake, which, according to zoo officials, could have survived for months without food.

But the snake needed water.

With the help of David Abott, an El Cajon snake-lover and reptile expert, Morgan and Pioterek developed a two-step strategy to capture and remove their unwanted guest. On Saturday the three spent 17 hours in Morgan’s attic, removing layer after layer of insulation and setting water “traps.”

Then the waiting began. Each night, the three took turns sitting in the attic, staring at water bowls and hoping the snake would emerge, overcome by thirst. Finally, three sleepless nights later, the snake patrol proved successful. On Monday night, Abott discovered an empty, overturned pie tin. The snake, less than two feet away, was trapped.

“I couldn’t believe it was really over,” Morgan said. “I had to go up and see it for myself.”

But it’s not over for Morgan and Pioterek. Pioterek’s 2-year-old son, who has been living with Pioterek’s mother during the snake’s stay, cannot return home yet because of allergies to the boric acid insulation, which is more than four feet deep in Pioterek’s bedroom. There are four gaping holes in the ceiling, and Morgan’s 5-year-old daughter is plagued by nightmares.

But Morgan, who rents the apartment duplex on the west side of El Cajon, refuses to leave. “This is my home, and it’s going to take more than a reptile to chase me away,” she said.

Meanwhile, Abott has taken the snake home with him.