Deadly boa constrictor on the loose in small NSW town

The snake shed its skin at a construction site in a small NSW town. Photo / Australian Snake Catchers

A 2.5m adult boa constrictor is "on the loose" in NSW after freshly shed snake skin was found at a property west of Sydney.

The NSW Government issued a warning to the public on Friday, after the snake's skin was found two days earlier at a building site on Torumba Circuit in the Cascades Estate in Silverdale.

Authorities warned people not to try to capture the snake. Photo / Australian Snake Catchers

Biosecurity officers are scouring the Cascade Estate for the huge reptile, amid fears small pets and even children could be at risk.

Locals have been asked to be on the lookout for it and to report any sightings.

The Australian Snake Catchers posted images of the skin to its Facebook page warning people to call professional reptile handlers if they spot the snake.

"Any sightings of the snake should be swiftly reported," they posted on their page. "We have been out to the property and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE THIS SNAKE."

Scott Charlton from NSW Government also warned residents to not make contact with the animal if they see it.

"Observe and, if possible, photograph the animal," he wrote in the letter to residents of The Cascades Estate. "If it is moving try and watch where it goes."

The snake shed its skin at a construction site in a small NSW town. Photo / Australian Snake Catchers

nbd but someone's lost an adult Boa constrictor in Sydney pic.twitter.com/e6bINos4cj

— CMWLSN (@cameronwilson) October 14, 2019

Native to Central and South America, boa constrictors are one of the larger species of snakes and can grow up to 4m and weigh up to 45kg. While they're not venomous, the giant serpents strangle or "constrict" prey.

They're also prohibited in NSW outside of zoos.

In 2016 a massive 2.3m boa constrictor was accused of eating a dog before trying to constrict its owner as he slept in the NSW Hunter Region.

The snake was seized from a house in Wentworth Ave, Singleton, after police received reports the owner was illegally keeping the reptile in his home.

The lucky man was charged with possession of an exotic species without a license.