PEST controllers, called to a Johnston garden, faced a slithery customer, coming face-to-face with what was thought to be one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
Richard Walters, of West Wales Pest Control, had the callout to deal with the scaly visitor on Friday, August 31.
“We were called out today [August 31] to what we thought would be a grass snake in a garden in Johnston, to find this milk snake which was three to four foot long.”
PICTURE: Richard Walters.
While milk snakes are harmless to humans, they are easily confused with the venomous coral snake, which has the second strongest venom of any in the world, only topped by the black mamba.
Richard, who sent the Telegraph pictures of the slippery customer, said: “We had to identify it first before touching it, because has similar markings to a coral snake, which are poisonous, hence I’m wearing the big gloves.”
Fortunately, the snake was none the worse for its relocation.
“We then brought the snake to Fenton Vets, where the reptile specialist Lance gave it a once-over to make sure it was fit and healthy.”
Posting on Facebook, Fenton Vets stated the owner has been found and has been reunited with the snake after its impromptu adventure.
PICTURE: Fenton Vets.
Milk snakes and coral snakes have very similar markings; a way to tell them apart is through the mnemonic, or memory aid: “Red on yellow, kills a fellow. Red on black, venom lack”.
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