SOMERSET COUNTY GAZETTE (Taunton, UK) 04 January 08 Regal reptile at top tourist attraction (Lloyd Vaughan)
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
Regal reptile at top tourist attraction