A snake on the island - don't over react
Police seize boa constrictor

(click on the image to see a large picture)
Bermuda, March 9, 2001
A court appearance is likely for a resident
who was found to be in possession of a Boa Constrictor snake last weekend.
Police seized a young snake, thought to be
around 12-inches long, after it had been imported into Bermuda.
Jack Ward oft the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and
Zoo, where the snake is being kept, said the animal is protected under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Number Two the second
highest level of endangerment.
"It is found in northern South America,
it is a Colombian Boa Constrictor," Mr. Ward said.
"Yes, in the end there might be a chance
that we (BAMZ) will keep it but in the past, such illegal animals, like snakes
have been put down... ."
Comment:

(click on the image to see a large picture)
Hang on, on the one hand you make reference to
the snake being an endangered species, on the other you may put it down.
Ship it to the UK and it will be given a good home.
The above pictures are of my baby boa, Sabina
who is just over a year old and measures four feet. As a captive bred
snake she is a perfect 'pet', if treated with respect.
Boas are freely available in the UK (I'm not
necessarily saying they should be in Bermuda) and require no licence. Maintenance
is relatively easy; light, warmth, water and a steady supply of small mammals
(rats). The snakes retail between £75 and £150 in the UK for a
baby
The boa
you have is, in all probability, a common boa which is a beautiful snake.
It is the subject of much exaggeration but can grow to 13 feet - how was anyone
going to keep that quiet! The range is Central and South American from Mexico
to Argentina. It is extremely adaptable and like all snakes, a great
escape artist.
Assuming
the snake is in good health and has been found to be free of ailments, if
someone would like to put a reasonable price on flying the snake to Heathrow,
this will be met. It can be collected and go to a good home. |