Exotic Snakes Found on County Durham Golf Course
Two sick boa constrictors, each approximately 3 metres long, were discovered at Blackwell Grange Golf Club in Darlington, County Durham. The snakes are believed to have been abandoned by their owner.
While most golfers contend with natural challenges such as wind or sand traps, players at this UK course faced an unusual hazard: large, scaly reptiles. The first boa constrictor was found on 13 June during a children’s golf lesson when a 12-year-old girl's shot landed near the snake.
Aaron Cox, 40, who was leading the lesson, used his golf club to move the snake off the course and placed it in a box. He repeated this process when a second boa was found near the course rough on 20 June. Cox transported both snakes to a nearby reptile shop; unfortunately, both animals died due to being "riddled with disease."
Local Experience and Uncommon Sightings
Cox, originally from Australia and residing in the UK for eight years, noted that while he is accustomed to encountering snakes such as adders in his native country, large snakes like boas have never been seen in this region of England before.
"I’ve been over here for what, six, seven summers, and not once has it ever happened. And now we’ve seen two in a week, and now there’s three more just down in North Yorkshire,"
he said.
Boa Constrictors: Characteristics and Concerns
Boa constrictors are native to South America and can exceed 3 metres in length. Despite their size, they are generally not considered dangerous to humans as they are non-venomous and typically prey on smaller animals.
These snakes are popular pets among reptile enthusiasts but require extensive care, including a significant food supply, and can live for over 30 years. This often leads to some owners abandoning them when they can no longer provide proper care.
Cox suspects that the snakes were left on the golf course because their previous owner could not maintain them, citing the high cost of food and the snakes' poor health as likely reasons for abandonment.
"Because they can’t look after them, the food bill started getting too big and they were unwell, so instead of probably taking them to the RSPCA or to a pet shop or to a vet they’ve just dumped them and let them die,"
he explained.
Calls for Responsible Pet Ownership
Cox expressed his distress over the mistreatment of the snakes and urged individuals to carefully consider their ability to care for exotic pets such as boas.
"It’s a shame and a bit of a cruel act by whoever did it,"
he said.
"I just hope they think about it twice before they do it again, or people that have pet snakes, think twice about what they do with them if they can’t look after them."
RSPCA Response
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) expressed concern regarding the snakes being abandoned on the golf course. The charity has requested that anyone with first-hand information indicating deliberate abandonment of these reptiles come forward to assist in identifying those responsible.
