Hoax of deadly viper in Southern California neighborhood debunked by police

A supposed sighting of a deadly Gaboon viper in a Southern California neighborhood was revealed to be a hoax after an investigation by Santa Ana police. The report, which included an image of the snake, prompted a search by reptile experts, but no evidence of the viper was found.

Santa Ana Police responded on Monday to a report of a suspected Gaboon viper in a residential backyard. Experts were brought in to search the area, but they could not locate the snake or any signs it had ever been present.

Investigators followed up with the person who initially reported the sighting and provided the photo. This individual eventually admitted that the image was generated by artificial intelligence and that the report was false. Police stated that while they initially suspected the image might be AI-generated, they were obligated to investigate the report.

"AI-generated images can look very real, and when false information is shared as fact, it can quickly create unnecessary fear, confusion, and concern in our community," the Santa Ana Police Department said in an Instagram post.

Earlier on Monday, police had issued a public warning about the potential presence of the snake. They described the Gaboon Viper as highly venomous and not native to North America.

According to Britannica, Gaboon vipers are the heaviest venomous snakes in Africa, weighing up to 18 pounds. They possess the longest fangs of any snake, measuring up to 1.6 inches. The viper is characterized by a tan, purple, and brown geometric pattern that serves as camouflage in its natural forest habitat. The Santa Ana Police Department used an AI-generated image of a Gaboon viper as part of their social media warning, and later, to illustrate the hoax. Another image provided by the police department shows a Gaboon viper among green leaves, though this is also an AI-generated depiction, not the image used in the initial report.