A ‘snake-hunt’ is underway in the US state of Florida after a cobra escaped from its cage, with its current whereabouts unknown.

The missing reptile, a cobra, belonged to a Florida man, Brian Purdy, who is licensed to own venomous animals and keeps his cobra in an enclosure at his house.

But the snake escaped its cage Monday, after another man who had been learning from Purdy to gain his own venomous animal permit tried removing the snake from its enclosure – but it jumped at him and escaped.

Officials warned neighbours about the potential danger the 2 foot long snake could pose.

Despite their fearsome reputations, snakes would generally stay out of the way of humans unless startled, when they strike instinctively – that seems to be the case for this cobra as well.