Dr Mat Cottam, a terrestrial ecologist at the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment with the corn snake.
A fully-grown corn snake was discovered near the Texaco petrol station beside Owen Roberts International Airport.
The snake, which was found by passer-by Carson Scott, was taken to the Cayman
Islands Department of the Environment and formally identified as a North American corn snake.
According to Dr Mat Cottam, a terrestrial ecologist at the department, the creature was not venomous. He said, “The one caught today is about as big as a corn snake can get. But snakes like this one are not harmful to people.”
Dr Cottam pointed out there are, in fact, no snakes on the Islands that are venomous and he encouraged people not to be afraid of the creatures.
He did add, however, that snakes should always be left alone and people should certainly not try catching them.
“Snakes do not go out of their way to attack people,” he said, “but if someone steps on a snake, or tries to kill it, it might react. Snakes are best left alone.”
The North American corn snake was first identified in the Cayman Islands in 1985 in the roots of ornamental plants and, over the years, there have been numerous sightings in the George Town area. They are also a common pet trade species.
