Tri-Service

'The Anaconda Of Aldershot': Soldiers Surprised By Six-Foot Snake

A group of British soldiers received an unwelcome surprise after discovering a six-foot snake while on exercise in Surrey.

They spotted the male yellow anaconda at Eelmoor Training Circuit, near Farnborough Airport on Monday.

Used to expecting the unexpected, the soldiers rescued the anaconda, which is one of the largest snakes in the world and can grow to up to 14.4ft, before delivering it to the RSPCA.

It’s believed the South American native could have escaped from a home in Aldershot.

Named the "Anaconda of Aldershot" by local media, he is being looked after at the RSPCA reptile rescue centre in Brighton.

RSPCA Animal Welfare Office Peter Yarde told Eagle Radio that "this is a big snake" and called the find "quite a shock", he said:

"The RSPCA is appealing for any information about the anaconda and is urging anyone thinking of taking on an exotic pet to fully research what the animals need."

"Caring for exotic animals can be challenging and expensive. Exotic pets can end up in our care after people realise they are not easy to care for and the novelty wears off."

Found in southern regions of South America, including Paraguay, southern Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, the yellow anaconda is a non-venomous snake but kills its pray by crushing it.

They commonly weigh up to 77lbs but large ones can be as heavy as 121lbs or 54.9kg and prefer living in swamps, marshes and covered bans of slow moving rivers.

The reptiles have a reputation for being an unpredictable pet. The United States banned their imports of the animal and its sale across state line in 2012 in an effort to stop it becoming an invasive species.