Dog walkers warned: boa constrictor spotted at Yorkshire reservoir

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/boa-constrictor-reservoir-yorkshire

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A walker got a shock when he spotted a snake on a path as he enjoyed a stroll around a Yorkshire reservoir.

He was able to take a photograph of the tail end of the snake before it slithered off into the undergrowth. Presuming it to be a native adder, he contacted a wildlife organisation in Yorkshire to double check.

However, it wasn't an adder: it was a boa constrictor. Now posters have been put up at the popular Swinsty reservoir, near Harrogate, warning dog owners to keep their pets on leads while using the site.

As boa constrictors are not native to the UK, Yorkshire Water believe it is an abandoned or an escaped pet.

Ed Ryder, from Otley, West Yorkshire, spotted the snake at 6pm last Saturday while walking around the reservoir with his girlfriend.

Rather surprised by the discovery, he was able to get a quick snapshot. He contacted the Yorkshire Naturalists Union - who confirmed from it's markings, the snake looked to be a boa constrictor. It is estimated to be 6ft long.

Ryder admitted he's not fond of snakes and "didn't even like my grandma's snake draught excluder." He says he often runs around the reservoir and has been trying to get his speed up, but thinks he'll have no worries now as a result of his discovery.

Boa constrictors are able to climb into trees and shrubs to hunt for prey - which often includes mammals and birds and amphibians. A nocturnal creature, it usually hunts in the dark. Older snakes can go without food for up to a month.

Geoff Lomas, of Yorkshire Water who is the reservoir's site manager, says over the years at its sites across the county, they've had terrapins and koi carp found. But nothing as exotic as a snake more commonly found in the South American jungle.

He said: "Clearly there is some concern in that we have a snake, of which we know very little about, including when it last ate, on the loose in a vast woodland area which is very popular with visitors."

Lomas said while a boa constrictor is unlikely to pose a risk to humans, a lot of people walk their dogs around the site "and clearly small dogs could be at a small risk from such a predator."

He urged people to be sensible and exercise caution when out and about, ensuring dogs are kept on leads, adding: "If you do spot the snake, please let us, the police or the RSPCA know as quickly as possible." He said every attempt will be made to safely capture the snake and hopefully return it to its owner.

Yorkshire Water has put up a poster at the site warning people of the snake.