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Aesculapian snake: |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181  View other posts by Vicar |
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). |
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yellowhammer Member Joined: 13 Jun 2006 No. of posts: 22  View other posts by yellowhammer |
Posted: 27 Aug 2007 What fresh lunacy is this?! More info would be greatly appreciated!  Cheers, Ian |
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Deano Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 133  View other posts by Deano |
Posted: 27 Aug 2007 See the thread intitled 'The Camden Creature'. Deano Better to be lucky than good looking. |
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Deano Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 133 View other posts by Deano |
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. |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar |
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). |
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arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis |
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. |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
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 |
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AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694  View other posts by AGILIS |
Posted: 28 Aug 2007 HI Steve & Rick well found and good picture was it near the canal embankment & did it bite you? keith LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID |
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st rick Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 141  View other posts by st rick |
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.
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arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis |
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. |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar |
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). |
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arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis |
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 Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group. |
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Danial Senior Member Joined: 01 May 2003 No. of posts: 100 View other posts by Danial |
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 
 Consultant Ecologist and Amphibians Officer of Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group www.surrey-arg.org.uk |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
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+> |
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st rick Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 141 View other posts by st rick |
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
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Deano Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 133 View other posts by Deano |
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. |
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Danial Senior Member Joined: 01 May 2003 No. of posts: 100 View other posts by Danial |
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 |
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AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694 View other posts by AGILIS |
Posted: 01 Sep 2007HI 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 |
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st rick Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 141 View other posts by st rick |
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! |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
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 |
