Snake found loose in Frankfield heads to Fota

WILDLIFE experts have issued a warning about the care of exotic pets after a snake, native to north America, was found slithering around a Cork suburb.

The 4ft-long California Kingsnake, which is usually found in south-western United States — from California eastward to Arizona — was found by a businessman in the Frankfield area of Cork city on Thursday night.

In the US, the species is frequently caught by youngsters and kept as a pet.

But the person who found the Kingsnake in Cork was concerned it may be poisonous and Fota Wildlife Park was alerted, declaring it as safe and quite tame. A Fota spokesperson said it was probably a household pet before being released into the wild. The spokesperson said they are extremely concerned by the find.

“This snake is the latest in a series of calls we have received about reptiles in the last year,” he said.

“As recently as three months ago, a python was handed into Dublin Zoo which highlights the area of responsible pet ownership.”

He said the park’s experts want the public to be careful when considering the purchase of pets, especially exotic ones as they are expensive to keep and can outgrow their living quarters.

“Many of them require live prey to feed on, which may not be attractive to individual pet owners,” he said.

The snake will be kept at the park’s education department to help teach children about reptiles.

Meanwhile, the park will hold a 24-hour Bio Blitz today to mark International Biodiversity Day. Experts will be working in the park surveying for plants, bats, birds, butterflies and insects. The public is invited to attend and a birds of prey flying show will take place today and tomorrow.