Hunt for 'L'Ancresse Snake' scaled back

A search for a suspected large snake that was seen earlier in the summer at L'Ancresse Common has been scaled back by the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was conducting it.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne told the Vale Parish website that after many weeks of looking for the reptile daily, they had decided to ease back on the hunt but were still appealing for any information if anyone saw something.

The initial sighting was in June near the southern end of L'Ancresse. The exact location was not disclosed to prevent the site from being disturbed.

The original report was of a large snake although no individuals claimed ownership of such a missing animal.

Asked about possible danger, Mr Byrne said: 'It is unlikely that the size snake will pose a threat to dogs or cats as the amount of prey more suited, such as rabbits and birds in the area, would be much easier to predate, if indeed it is a snake of the size we have been informed.'

If it was a species of python as had been suggested then these rest for days or more between meals, often in holes, and with the number of rabbit holes in the area it could easily go unseen for some time.

Other stray reptiles that the GSPCA have had reported to them have been caught fairly quickly and subsequently reclaimed or remain in the Shelter's care.

'Both stray snakes we have had in this year were claimed after releasing the details and we have no sightings at this time that we are looking into other than the snake at L'Ancresse,' he said.

• The States of Guernsey have restrictions on the types of reptiles that can come into Guernsey so those kept here are common pet species, not venomous or dangerous ones.