Regal reptile at top tourist attraction (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Regal reptile at top tourist attraction
8:20pm Friday 4th January 2008 in News By Lloyd Vaughan
New addition Elfin, a Royal Phython, with keeper Rebecca Welsh
A REGAL reptile is the latest addition to a West Somerset wildlife park after being donated to the collection shortly before Christmas.
Tropiquaria is now the proud owner of Elfin, a Royal Python, who has now settled in and is being handled regularly in public.
Royal Pythons are found across the whole of the sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Kenya. The royal element of their name comes from an alleged involvement with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who sometimes wore a live one.
Tropiquaria managing director Chris Moiser said: "Although this is a common African species this individual is one of the most beautiful snakes I have ever seen. They are occasionally found in this country as pets but I have never seen such a well-marked specimen before, either in captivity or the wild."
It is a long-term objective of the new owners of Tropiquaria to specialise in African wildlife and to develop a collection themed on the sub-Saharan part of the continent.
