Clay Davenport
Cerebral Nomad
Grass snakes have been unnerving staff and patients at a rural hospital in the Forest of Dean.
In the past few weeks, more than 200 snakes have had to be removed from the Dilke hospital near Cinderford.
Most of the harmless creatures have been found in the boiler room, apparently attracted by the warmth.
Forest ranger Eric Pritchard, who has been brought in to remove them, said the boiler house was an ideal place for a pregnant snake to lay her eggs.
"She goes somewhere like a compost heap for instance, warm, humid places, and the Dilke boiler house is quite suited to this," he said.
Long association
Hospital spokesman Anthony Dallimore added: "They are not poisonous and do not pose a risk to patients, although they can cause a shock if you are not expecting to see them."
It is not the first time the hospital has had to deal with the creatures.
It was reported in October 2001 that a nurse opened a boiler room cupboard to find 143 newly-hatched snakes inside.
Mr Dallimore said: "They have had a long association with the hospital. In recent years grass snakes have become quite rare in England.
"We have an agreement with a local reptile expert to remove them and re-locate them to a place of safety which assists conservation efforts to establish grass snake communities elsewhere."
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In the past few weeks, more than 200 snakes have had to be removed from the Dilke hospital near Cinderford.
Most of the harmless creatures have been found in the boiler room, apparently attracted by the warmth.
Forest ranger Eric Pritchard, who has been brought in to remove them, said the boiler house was an ideal place for a pregnant snake to lay her eggs.
"She goes somewhere like a compost heap for instance, warm, humid places, and the Dilke boiler house is quite suited to this," he said.
Long association
Hospital spokesman Anthony Dallimore added: "They are not poisonous and do not pose a risk to patients, although they can cause a shock if you are not expecting to see them."
It is not the first time the hospital has had to deal with the creatures.
It was reported in October 2001 that a nurse opened a boiler room cupboard to find 143 newly-hatched snakes inside.
Mr Dallimore said: "They have had a long association with the hospital. In recent years grass snakes have become quite rare in England.
"We have an agreement with a local reptile expert to remove them and re-locate them to a place of safety which assists conservation efforts to establish grass snake communities elsewhere."
Link to Story