A photograph taken on a Friday near Gibbs Hill Road in Southampton parish has sent Bermuda’s authorities after a snake that should not be on the island at all. Two independent snake experts looked at the picture and identified an eastern diamondback rattlesnake, a highly venomous species. From the photo, officials put its length at between 1.2 and 1.5 metres, or 4ft to 5ft. Its sex is unknown.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment had first described the report as credible but unconfirmed. The photograph changed that.
No one has been hurt. A bite, the ministry said on Wednesday, would be a medical emergency needing immediate treatment.
The search
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo have joined forces to find the animal. A government spokeswoman said the teams have put out snake traps and rat-bait stations, which are watched from a distance. She did not rule out asking for outside help.
There has been no confirmed sighting since that Friday. Later reports, including pictures of suspected tracks, were checked and judged not to “match the movement” of the species, she said.
The spokeswoman listed what has been done so far: “site verification, expert consultation, notifications to nearby residents, and co-ordination with first responders and healthcare services.” She also warned that searching for the snake, or trying to catch it, carries real risk.
How it got here is a mystery. All snakes, this one included, are listed as prohibited species under the Invasive Alien Species Act 2021. Officials say it could have arrived by accident in cargo, or been brought in illegally.
Antivenom on the island
The ministry said on Sunday that part of its preparation was finding antivenom, along with protective equipment for responders. By midweek the Bermuda Hospitals Board confirmed the antivenom was in its internal dispensary.
Health Minister Kim Wilson said: “As the search for the snake continues, it is important that we have antivenom on the island as part of our preparedness measures.” She asked everyone in the affected area to follow the safety guidance and said community co-operation “remains vital.” Wilson has also said the risk to the public is low.
What residents are told
Anyone who sees the snake should call 911. They should not approach it, try to catch it or kill it. If it is safe, they can keep it in view from a distance until help comes. Reports should give the location, the direction the snake was heading and where it was last seen.
The spokeswoman said the snake generally avoids people. Rattlesnakes bite typically only when provoked or threatened, and the rattle is a warning.
Residents are asked to take care in yards, sheds, and around pipes, boards and debris, and not to reach blindly into vegetation or any enclosed space where a snake could hide. Pet owners should keep animals indoors or closely supervised.
Anyone bitten should stay calm and still, keep the limb at heart level, take off rings, watches and tight clothing before swelling starts, and follow the instructions of emergency responders. A photo of the snake from a distance, or a note of what it looked like, helps. Officials say not to cut the wound or try to suck out venom, and not to use a tourniquet, ice or electric shock. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided unless a doctor says otherwise.
Around Gibbs Hill Road, people stayed on high alert through the week. One woman told the Royal Gazette she was being “extra cautious” while she worked in her garden.
The snake has also reached the bakery counter. Alicia Tucker, who owns The Tuck Shop, put decorated shortbreads on her menu after a skit about a rattlesnake catcher by social-media personality Mr Fotogenik. “I try to keep things trendy and capitalise off things that are happening,” she said. “I usually focus on more positive things, but I wouldn’t say that this is positive.” She said she sold “quite a bit” and plans to keep them on the menu until the snake is caught.
Sources
- Snake on the run: authorities ratchet up alert level
- A Possible Rattlesnake Sighting Has Bermuda Residents Checking Yards and Dense Vegetation
