A BRIT has revealed the story behind London’s rare snake population after spotting one of the reptiles himself – which can grow up to two metres long.
The Londoner snapped the serpent whilst out on a stroll by Regent’s Canal in Islington, Central London yesterday.
The local was delighted with his spot and has now urged others to look out for members of the species – the Aesculapian snake – whilst out and about in the capital.
Photos of the snake show it dragging itself along the ground towards the camera, with its full length stretching back under the debris that it seems to have emerged from.
Flicking its forked tongue out as it moves, the snake looks to have been laying low in-between gardens but was spotted right as it attempted ot make a break for it.
The animal is one of the small population of the species that live along Regent’s Canal and around London Zoo.
The rare snakes have not been native to the UK since the last ice age approximately 20,000 years ago but a small number of the reptiles have existed since they were released in the area in the 90s.
The Aesculapian snake is the largest species of snake in Europe and whilst they can grow up to 6.6 feet in length, the local who spotted this individual reckoned it was four feet.
Whilst helping deal with local infestations of rats, mice and other small rodents, the snakes pose no danger to humans – being nonvenomous constrictors.
Snapping multiple images of the large brown reptile the Londoner eagerly shared them to social media yesterday.
They wrote: “Four foot snake spotted on my morning stroll today.
“This is an Aesculapian snake, and the largest one of this type I have ever seen. They haven’t been seen in England since the last ice age 20,000 years ago.
“This one is from a feral population which lives on Regent’s Canal next to the zoo.
“However, they don’t seem to be escapees, but rather someone released them back in the 90s and they have started breeding.
“While large, they are not poisonous and are quite happy munching on the local mice and rats which they constrict.
“Also, since they did live in England before, they aren’t really invasive (they are quite common in mainland Europe).
“So next time you are walking/jogging along the canal, slow down to see if you can spot these beauties, living in the heart of our beautiful city.”
The post received over 2,700 likes and more than 475 comments from amazed social media users.
One user said: “I’m sorry, where the hell are your morning strolls? Looks like a stroll between two fences.”
Another added: “That’s the first time I’ve seen a snake in London.”
A third commented: “That looks longer than four foot. Would love to see one.”
Another joked: “Yeah don’t think I will slow down mate.”
A fifth wrote: “The last thing I thought I’d see in London is a snake, this is all quite interesting.”
