ST. JOHNSBURY — The town’s animal control officer is trying to find the owner of a 5½-foot snake found in the community last week.

St. Johnsbury officers Chester Buck and Kevin Barone used a stick to pick up the snake when they found it.

Animal control officer Jo Guertin is caring for the snake in an old aquarium and feeding it snake food from a pet store.

Guertin says the gopher snake is not native to the area and is likely someone’s house pet that got loose.

She says she’ll wait 10 days for the owner to claim it. If no one comes forward, she’ll try to find the snake a new home.