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Hissss...Buncrana snake captured
30.08.10
by Eamonn MacDermott, Inishowen Independent
THE saga of Buncrana’s elusive snake was finally
resolved this week when the unwelcome visitor to the
town was finally caught and returned to captivity.
For over a year, there have been reports of a snake
being seen in various parts of the town.
Last month local couple Sean and Mary McGrory
reported seeing the orange and black reptile in
their backyard. |
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Sean and Mary McGrory who discovered
a Mexican Pueblan milk snake, inset, under their
decking in July 2010. |
However, the snake was
finally caught by Mickey Bradley in Millfield
Crescent last Thursday and handed over to local man
Killian McLaughlin who keeps animals.
Mickey Bradley said: “We were moving some stuff in a
yard and suddenly we lifted this box and there was
the snake.
“It is a bit like when you see a mouse at first you
jump but then you realise there is not problem.
“We knew the snake was not dangerous so we got one
of those hooks off Killian McLaughlin and I hooked
its head and we lifted it into a pillowcase and then
transferred it to a box and gave it to Killian.
Killian added: “This snake is not at all dangerous.
It is a milk snake and would measure about two feet
long. It is not in the least venomous and even if it
were to bite you it would hardly break the skin.
“Milk snakes mimic venomous snake so any prey on
seeing them would believe that they are dangerous
and leave them alone.
“Originally these snakes come from North America and
would hibernate so that is probably how this one
survived the winter.
“During its time on the loose it probably did the
people a favour in that it more than likely survived
on eating mice and rats.
“Milk snakes also eat other snakes not that that
would be important around here.”
Killian said he currently has the newcomer on a heat
mat even though it had managed to survive in the
wild for quite a long period.
He added: “This snake can join the others I have. A
couple of years back I recovered a snake from a
windowsill in Ballybofey where it had probably gone
to try and get heat.
“This snake was probably someone’s pet at some stage
and just escaped.
“I can understand why people react as they do when
they see a snake like this but there really was
nothing to fear. So now this snake can have some
company.” |
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