In Varberg, Sweden, three pythons have been discovered this summer, prompting experts to believe more may be present. The snakes, capable of traveling kilometers, are thought to have been abandoned by owners. Authorities are monitoring the situation, though no criminal activity is suspected.
Python Snakes Spotted in Varberg: Experts Warn of More
Python Snakes Spotted in Varberg: Experts Warn of More
Three pythons have been found in Åkulla, Varberg this summer. Experts believe there are more out there, not necessarily in the same area, as snakes can move "kilometers."
- "It depends on the weather; if it's warm, they move more," says Tom Arnbom.
Tom Arnbom, a snake expert who previously worked for WWF, does not hesitate to call Varberg's snake summer unique—three pythons in one season.
He is quite sure there are more snakes out there.
- "I base this on the fact that three have been found randomly. I can't imagine all have been found," he says.
The two most recent royal pythons were found in a forest area near Åkulla. Both were at maximum size. Tom Arnbom believes these findings are just the tip of the iceberg, suggesting there are more.
- "I don't want to create a scare scenario. No other types have been seen. But it has happened before that venomous snakes get out," he says.
The Snake Will Get a 150g Rat
Royal pythons eat about twice a month and otherwise remain calm.
- "If they find food, they don't need to move. They can eat a rodent or a bird chick, for example."
If hunting is poor, however, the snake moves.
- "It depends on the weather; if it's cold, they stay still. But they can travel kilometers," says Tom Arnbom.
The snake found near the hospital in Varberg in May was already dead. In July, a live snake was found in the mushroom forest in the Åkulla area. It was taken care of by Daniella Nilsson.
Four days later, it happened again, once more in Åkulla.
Malin Bolinder raised the alarm last Saturday about a snake approximately 1.5 meters long lying stretched out on a road sunbathing.
- "I had my son sleeping in the car, so there was no way to do anything," she says.
She saw the giant snake slither away into the roadside.
When she got home, she asked for help via social media.
- "At first, I thought there would be a backlash for not stopping. But it was the opposite; I really regained hope in humanity," says Malin Bolinder after a private individual rescued the snake.
Now the reptile lives in a terrarium in Stefan Sandinge's pet shop in Laholm. The guest has not been offered any food, and it's not about stinginess.
- "It eats rats between 90 and 150 grams, and it will get that. But it needs to settle in and calm down first," says Stefan Sandinge.
Expert: Don't Be Afraid of Snakes
It is likely that an owner dumped the snakes in the forest, perhaps because they became too many or too large.
- "It's reprehensible. It's wrong on so many levels. But I would say it's unusual compared to how many summer cats and rabbits are dumped."
If more snakes are found—in Åkulla or further afield—the County Administrative Board of Halland will respond. The police do not consider the incident criminal and have not filed any reports, according to their spokesperson.