01-05-2025
Man 'shocked' to find constrictor snake in Colwyn Bay garden
A man and his terrier were shocked to discover a large snake in the garden at their Colwyn bay home. Stephen Gowing, who lives on Pen-y-Bryn Road, Colwyn Heights, found what he understands is a corn snake on Wednesday morning.
He lives near the Welsh Mountain Zoo and contacted them. Back in the 1970s there was an escape of aesculapian snakes from the zoo, and there is now a wild population of approximately 70 adult individuals.
But they told him that in this case it was very likely someone's pet who had escaped. Stephen posted it on Facebook in the hope of finding the snake's owner.
Stephen said: "It certainly was a shock, I thought it was a large viper at first. I think my dog Hamish thought 'WTF' is that. And he has been hunting for it since like a proper terrier."
He speculated that it was between four and five feet long.
Someone is due to come this afternoon to catch and take away the snake. But unfortunately it is now AWOL.
Stephen added: "No sign of it so it could be anywhere now, apparently even up a tree."
Corn snakes are native to the US but are popular pets in the UK. They are not venomous and use constriction to kill their wild prey.
Corn snakes can grow to around 150 cm long. While they may survive in the wild in the UK - particularly in places like south east England due to the milder climate - they are unlikely to establish a wild population.
After posting his find on Colwyn Bay Notice Board he had a mix of responses, from those who were helpful to other who were simply horrified. One person said: "Oh it stays away from my garden, better get the grass cut quick."
Others noticed Hamish, with one woman saying: "The expression on the face of that little Westie in the background"
Another respondent added: "From my personal experience living in the past in an area with adders, snake won't attack and definitely don't go around gobbling up pets.
"Snakes are more frightened of humans and this one is more likely to hide away. I personally wouldn't be scared if saw it but wouldn't attempt to capture it either as I am not an expert on reptiles."
