You can find just about anything on Craigslist if you look around long enough … even a West African Bush Viper.
Because, yeah, police say a guy in Maryland was trying to sell one on Facebook. That’s illegal in Maryland so, police say, they arrested Joshua Lee Roberts, 36, of Hagerstown for attempting to sell the snake.
“On May 27, officers arranged to purchase a male West African Bush Viper that was posted for sale on Craigslist by Joshua Lee Roberts, 36,” the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police posted on their Facebook page. “After the sale, police charged Roberts and he faces a maximum fine of $1,000.”
The post said that the snake “was seized and transported to the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont until a permanent home is located.”
The name likely suggests it, but the West African Bush Viper is not a snake that you want to be bitten by.
“The venom of the West African Bush Viper is primarily hemotoxic and potentially life threatening,” they wrote. “There is no antivenom.
“Maryland law prohibits selling or keeping a venomous snake as a pet.”
So, maybe if you are looking for some gym equipment or collectibles on the list … as tempting as it may be to click on the “West African Bush Viper” listing, it’s probably best to just keep it moving.
You can see the post, complete with the picture of the viper, here.
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