Image supply, Welsh Dee Trust
It’s thought the snake might have been a pet that escaped
The discovery of the stays of a snake, believed to be a python, have baffled workers at a conservation charity.
The 2m (6.5ft) snake carcass was discovered on the banks of the River Dee close to Bala in Gwynedd.
It was entwined on a fallen tree trunk, probably after being introduced downstream by the swollen waters.
“It’s not one thing we’d anticipate to see on the river,” mentioned Chris Meredith from the Welsh Dee Trust.
The Llangollen-based charity works to revive habitats on the brooks, streams and rivers of the River Dee catchment and is extra used to saving Atlantic salmon than discovering tropical reptiles.
“It could have been lifeless for a few weeks,” Mr Meredith mentioned.
He instructed the snake might need spent winter in a gap within the floor earlier than being caught out by the rising stage of the River Dee after heavy rain.
“They can swim, but when the river got here up and the snake continues to be chilly and sluggish it might most likely get caught out and drown,” he mentioned.
Image supply, Welsh Dee Trust
How the snake’s stays ended up on the river banks in Bala stays a thriller
Mr Meredith mentioned he believed the snake was a reticulated python, which is pretty frequent to be stored as a pet.
“I feel it is most likely escaped or been launched sooner or later,” he mentioned.
Reticulated pythons are native to South East Asia and as a species can develop longer than another snake, reaching as much as 6m (19.6ft).
Although not venomous, they kill their prey by constriction.
Mr Meredith mentioned the invention would most likely stay a thriller.
“It actually is not one thing we’d anticipate finding on one in every of our restoration tasks,” he added.
