Maine snake eats beaver, swims across river where kids play

WESTBROOK, Maine -- The hunt for a large snake seen feasting on a beaver in Maine has residents atwitter.

Police in Westbrook say the 10-foot-long snake finished its meal early Wednesday and then swam across the Presumpscot River and disappeared into brush on the other side. Residents are alarmed because children swim and feed ducks in that section of the river.

The snake was quickly dubbed Wessie and the Presumpscot Python by residents on social media. A Twitter hashtag was created, and someone made a fake account for the snake.

Police are patrolling the riverbank. But the snake is nowhere to be seen.

The Maine Warden Service say the snake is expected to lay dormant for a couple days because it just consumed a large mammal.

Police are asking the public to be mindful of the snake's presence in the area and immediately report any sightings so police can remove the animal from the river, CBS Portland affiliate WGME-TV reports.