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Krissi Hawke of the Clark County Humane Society pulls a 7-foot-long snake from its cage in the Humane Society offices Monday. The snake was found curled up on the engine of a car.Click to enlarge

SPRINGFIELD — Horses under the hood you expect, but a Terrance Drive family found a 7-foot-long boa constrictor under theirs.

The snake, which has been nicknamed "Buddy," is the largest the Clark County Humane Society has ever taken in, said Ed Sisler, humane society director.

"He has an excellent temperament but likes to hiss," Sisler said.

The family did not leave contact information, told Humane Society staff that neighbors had spotted the snake as it made its way to the car and alerted the family.

"It took the kid a substantial amount of time to untangle it from under the engine," Sisler said.

Sisler hopes Buddy's owners will come forth and claim their pet, but they will have to be able to present proof of ownership to do so.

The agency sees about a dozen snake drop-offs a year, Sisler said. Few are claimed.

If Buddy remains unclaimed he'll be offered to local educators who might want to use him in the classroom.

Sisler, who brings his own 5-foot red corn snake with him when he visits county schools, has found it has way of capturing an audience.

"You have no idea," he said with a laugh.

Anyone missing a 7-foot-long boa constrictor that aspires to be a car mechanic can call the Clark County Humane Society at 399-2917 or visit the agency at 5201 Urbana Road.