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RAUK - Archived Forum - Aesculapian snake

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Aesculapian snake:

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Vicar
Senior Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
No. of posts: 1181


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Posted: 25 Aug 2007
Just a quick note to confirm that there is indeed an Aesculapian snake colony present in central London...not far from London Zoo.

One was found and photographed by four RAUK members last weekend, following news of a recent capture in the area. I'll let Rick add more detail and pics in this thread.

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
yellowhammer
Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
No. of posts: 22


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Posted: 27 Aug 2007
What fresh lunacy is this?! More info would be greatly appreciated!  
Cheers, Ian
Deano
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Aug 2005
No. of posts: 133


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Posted: 27 Aug 2007
See the thread intitled 'The Camden Creature'.



Deano
Better to be lucky than good looking.
Deano
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Aug 2005
No. of posts: 133


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007

BTW Steve

How big was the one you found? The one I found was about a metre long, although my mate Ron thought it was more like 6 foot!

p.s. Good to have y'all back.


Deano
Better to be lucky than good looking.
Vicar
Senior Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
No. of posts: 1181


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
Rehi...

I'll nudge Rick to add some further details, it was his find

The snake was probably a sub-adult male, measuring almost exactly 2 ft. Some of the folks present have better pictures, but here's one that gives an indication of size.


Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
arvensis
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2006
No. of posts: 445


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
Should've let me know about this, I would've liked to gone with you all and find them.

Mark

Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007

Its near the Zoo eh

I would like to have details of that if that is possible through pm

Any chance of further surveys?

Regards

Jon

Check this beauty out - Essex (not from a colony though)

 

 

 


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
AGILIS
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 694


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
HI Steve & Rick well found and good picture was it near the canal embankment  & did it bite you? keith AGILIS39322.430150463
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
st rick
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 141


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007

Welcome back everyone!

I'm a bit slow off the mark on this one after 3 days camping in the woods on the North Downs Way. 

The snake was was indeed found close to the canal embankment and Keith, yes, the first thing it did was sink it's teeth in to me!  This along with the fact it was in exactly the same spot as another recent Aesculapian sighting, led me to believe it was not a funny looking Grass Snake with a really bad temper!

These 2 recent sightings of juveniles does not prove scientifically there is a breeeding population there, though it points in that direction more precisely than if an adult snake had been found.  I have no idea of how many there are:  but it only took 10 - 15 minutes to locate this specimen.

 

 

 

 


arvensis
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2006
No. of posts: 445


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
Anyone up for a little trip to find some more? I have 2 weeks off in September so I'm available quite a bit.

Mark

Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.
Vicar
Senior Member
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
No. of posts: 1181


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
Mark,

I was going to suggest the same thing, as rail links to the area are excellent. Don't make the same mistake I did and drive !

I'm not sure about my availability in September yet, but a few people looking in good weather might just give an idea of how widespread they are !

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).
arvensis
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2006
No. of posts: 445


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Posted: 28 Aug 2007
Well I have the w/c Sunday 9th and w/c Sunday 30th off so plenty of options.  October maybe getting a little late but considering how variable the weather has been, anything is possible!

Mark
arvensis39322.6226851852
Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group.
Danial
Senior Member
Joined: 01 May 2003
No. of posts: 100


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Posted: 29 Aug 2007
I went with Steve to see the site and the snake, and am also keen to return in better weather.
The habitat on one side of the canal is woodland with a ground cover of ivy, and at the time quite cool and dark.
There are plenty of holes in the bank, probably rat, so lots of places to hide along with log piles, and possibly tree holes.

Some pics follow

Danial

Alan Hyde39323.1803703704
Consultant Ecologist and Amphibians Officer of Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group
www.surrey-arg.org.uk

Alan Hyde
Senior Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2003
No. of posts: 1416


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Posted: 29 Aug 2007
Hi Daniel,
Nice pics mate. Hope you don't mind , I edited your post as the pics were side by side and difficult to view
Cheers,
Al
O-> O+>
st rick
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 141


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Posted: 29 Aug 2007

My availability is not great in September, but I could possibly manage Sunday 9th.  Not to worry - I live very close to the site and might even get down there tomorrow.  I feel a warm day is important as I think these reptiles enjoy a bit of heat.

Here is another pic.  Thanks to Paul for these pics - my camera out of action.  I hope he won't mind me posting these


Deano
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Aug 2005
No. of posts: 133


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Posted: 29 Aug 2007

I'd be up for this trip. St Rick, when I found the bigger one it was 6-7 years ago. Wether this one is it's offspring I couldn't say. But, it was a lot bigger than this recent find. So maybe there is atleast a couple/pair.

Someone pick a date.


Deano
Better to be lucky than good looking.
Danial
Senior Member
Joined: 01 May 2003
No. of posts: 100


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Posted: 31 Aug 2007
Hi Alan

Glad you liked the pics and thanks for editing them.

Danial
Consultant Ecologist and Amphibians Officer of Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group
www.surrey-arg.org.uk

AGILIS
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
No. of posts: 694


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Posted: 01 Sep 2007
HI  daniel like the photos great shots its amazing to be able to jump of bus or tube in almost central London and get straight into a snake safari.no doubt in the future some one will pass a by law to have special licence . has there been any thought as to what else may have estabilished itself  lurking in the undergrowth maybe a friendly Cobra or a nice black mamba who knows ?.   keith 
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
st rick
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2006
No. of posts: 141


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Posted: 01 Sep 2007

It's occurred to me that a 7 foot Aesculapian (they go olive all over when adult) would not look unlike a Black Mamba, they're quick too, especially if encountered in the environs of London Zoo!


herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 01 Sep 2007

Heres my mates mamba

Just a warning (I am sure everyone knows this) but you do need a license to release any animals captured at Regents.....

I would be up for a trip in September I was going to Jersey but I am delaying that until next spring.

Let me know and I would like to come along

Unofficial RAUK trip 3 or is it 4?

Jon

 

 


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

- Aesculapian snake

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