One victim had to have part of her finger amputated after being bitten (Image: Getty Images)

Snake bites are becoming more common in the UK as more people buy exotic pets.

The study found that between 2009 and 2020, the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) recorded 321 stings from 68 species.

Of these, 260 (81%) were associated with household pets and 38 (11.8%) were associated with human occupations such as zoologists and pet store workers.

Of those who were bitten, 72 were teenagers or children and 13 were under the age of five. Researchers have found that 15 people have severe symptoms.

A sharpsnake zookeeper bitten by a spitting cobra in Mozambique had to amputate part of his finger after the tissue died.

Reptile conservationist Luke Yomans, 47, died in June 2011 after being bitten by a king cobra at a sanctuary scheduled to open the following week.

Witnesses said he was staggering “like a drunk” before he fell, and people desperately tried to revive him before he was taken to an ambulance.

Ambulance staff administered 10 vials of antitoxin to him, but he went into fatal cardiac arrest.

Male grass snakes flick their tongues to taste the air.

Snakebites are still very rare, but the RSPCA encourages people who buy pet snakes to do their research (Image: Getty Images).

An NPIS study found that about two-thirds of bites were to men. Although still rare, the numbers show an increase compared to 2004-2010.

One of the researchers, Professor David Worrell of the University of Oxford, said:

“Most of these bites occur on the fingers, hands and wrists after deliberate interaction from people who have snakes as part of their profession or hobby.”

Professor Warrell pointed out that the British need a special license to possess all kinds of venomous snakes.

But this does not mean that people do not store them illegally, but it may mean that the actual quality of snakebites in the country may be higher.

Most snakes are not aggressive and are unlucky enough to be bitten by one, but the RSPCA advises people to do as much research as possible before buying.


Tips for buying exotic pets from the RSPCA

If you are thinking of getting exotic pets, it is advisable to learn as much as possible about the animals’ needs and whether they are realistic pets. Before adopting reptiles, be sure to consider the following…

Environment-Many exotic pets require a carefully managed environment. For example, special heating and lighting may be required to prevent illness. Their homes should allow for natural behaviors like digging, climbing, and digging holes. Some reptiles can grow to a large size, so consider the size of your space or get new reptiles as you grow.

  • average life – Make sure you can stick to reptiles as reptiles can live longer than expected.
  • diet – They will probably need special foods, which can be expensive once you understand how much they eat.
  • Company -Investigate if the animal needs to be alone or with others. Social animals should not be left alone, as this damages their health and well-being.
  • Lifestyle -Do the behaviors of the animals match your lifestyle? They can be active at night or during the day.
  • professional care -Is there a professional veterinarian nearby who can treat these types of animals if they get sick?
  • document -Some exotic pets require a license or other legal document to keep them, so check this before you get it.

For example, he advises Python owners: Wash your hands thoroughly first. “

Grass snakes, rattlesnakes and smooth snakes are the only species native to the UK and, like pets, can pose a rare threat.

In April, an eight-year-old boy who was bitten by an appendix nearly died during a family trip to Hemsby Beach in Norfolk.

The attack caused Jake Crozier’s arm to swell “five times more than normal”, and he was later given an antitoxin infusion by doctors at the hospital.

That same month, an eight-year-old girl from Birmingham was bitten by a viper during an Easter picnic when she wandered over out of curiosity.

The family was at the Kimber Edge beauty spot in the Midlands when someone in the group warned them of a snake.

A “lucky girl” went to investigate and her father said she was bitten by a reptile.

Contact the news team by sending an email to.

For other stories like this, Please see the news page ..