A boa constrictor snake was discovered on Friday night outside a residence in Sandys, according to police.

A spokesman said the report of a juvenile snake came in at 6pm.

The constrictor was “destroyed by a concerned citizen”, he added.

Importing snakes to the island or keeping them as pets is illegal, but boa constrictors, which are kept in captivity in many parts of the world, have been found on the island before.

A resident caught with one of the reptiles prompted a government warning in 2001.

The snakes are non venomous but present a serious environmental hazard.

Boa constrictors are found in tropical habitats through Central America and northern South America, as well as some Caribbean islands.

Southern Florida is also host to an introduced population.

The animals are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species treaty.