The snake (Sibon Nebulatus) owes its name to its spotting pattern and diet. Rob Dumont of Reptile Shelter Zwanenburg – where the animal was brought in – has his own theory. “There are all kinds of greenhouses near Uithoorn, so I suspect he came with a load of plants.”
The snake is not unknown to Dumont, but he does not encounter it often. “I think once every two years. They are often a lot bigger. This is really a young one, so it is really special.”
Up for adoption, but a lot of work
The animal cannot live in the wild in the Netherlands because the temperatures and humidity differ too much from its natural habitat. He will now be quarantined for 14 days. An enthusiast can then adopt it, because the snake is harmless. Dumont fears that it will be difficult to install the special hose.
“It’s a lot of work, because he mainly eats snails. You can buy them, but they are often too big. So people really have to look for them themselves.” People who do not mind this can contact him.
This is the second snake brought into the shelter this year. There is also a King Python that was found in Rotterdam staying there.