The Herald,7/5/16
Rare
snakes that 'disappeared' for seven years have returned with a baby in
tow. Conservation volunteers have been searching for signs of the smooth
snakes - the UK's rarest reptiles - since ten were released in 2009 and
a further seven in 2010 at a secret location on a Devon RSPB nature
reserve.They have recorded some sightings but none that proved that the
snakes were breeding - until now.
Delighted
volunteers have found, recorded and photographed a newborn smooth snake
and named him Cyril. He was spotted with two adult snakes and is
officially the first smooth snake to be born at the re-introduction site
in Devon.
Nick
Moulton, of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, one of the
partners in the re-introduction project, said: "It really is a difficult
species to work with so for the volunteers to stick with it and find
that proof of breeding is brilliant. It is now re-established in Devon,
this really is a big find."
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