Snake’s likely golf bag voyage

The snake found at Tucker’s Point probably arrived in Bermuda inside a golf bag, according to experts.

Dr David Wingate told the Bermuda Sun that there had been previous examples of similar reptiles being brought onto the island unwittingly by visitors inside sports bags.

And the former conservation officer said that there was little that could have been done to prevent this ‘unusual and infrequent occurrence’.

He said: “We have definitive proof that this kind of thing has happened in the past.

“And in this case it seems that the most likely source of where the snake came from is a golf bag.

“This is much more plausible than someone importing them illegally or breeding them illegally.

“Both of these circumstances would have far more serious consequences and would be more worrying. But people often keep their golf bags in their basements and a snake can easily crawl into it without being noticed.

“The snake would remain moribund while it was brought into Bermuda on a plane by a visitor and then re-awaken when it gets here.

“Only a few snakes have ever been brought into Bermuda but most of them have been found on golf courses.”

Dr Wingate added that the consequences of a snake species reproducing and establishing itself in Bermuda could be catastrophic.

He added: “We are terrified of getting snakes established in Bermuda with good reason.

“They could wipe out the entire sea bird population and have devastating consequences on our island.

“One can not emphasize strongly enough that there should be very, very severe penalties for illegally bringing snakes into Bermuda.”

The Southern Black Racer was discovered on Tucker’s Point Golf Course earlier this month.

The reptile, which is commonly found on the US mainland, was captured and identified by experts from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

It was then humanely euthanized because it posed a potentially devastating threat to the island’s ecology.

Drew Pettit, Director of Conservation Services, told the Sun: “One only needs to look at other islands to see what can happen should a snake species be allowed to become established.

“As an example the Brown Tree Snake invaded the island of Guam in cargo in the 1950’s.

“It quickly did well in its new environment with no competition and predators.

“It multiplied rapidly until the numbers of snakes quickly overwhelmed the island’s biodiversity, eradicating most small mammals and birds completely.

“This would be an ecological tragedy if it happened in Bermuda, destroying all native wildlife totally unprepared for such a predator.” n