Snake Found in Hampshire Beauty Spot
A Florida Kingsnake has been found far from home wriggling through a Hampshire beauty spot.
The 1.5m snake, which is non-venomous was discovered by a ranger in the New Forest this weekend. Although non-venomous kingsnakes can sometimes be aggressive and at 1.5m the reptile is big enough to give someone quite a nip if it were cornered or startled.
The snake was taken to Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre where owner Linda Bridges is keen for the snake's owner to contact her.
Kingsnakes eat other snakes in the wild, in their native Florida they often prey on rattlesnakes. Ms Bridges was concerned for Britain's own declining snake populations.
"If it has been released into our native New Forest it would be eating our own adders and grass snakes, which are in decline themselves." Linda told the BBC.
"If cornered in any way or surprised, it would bite you first." she added.
The Morning Star: September 2009
