Snakes on a frame (climbing that is) as Zak enjoys park life
IF you’re scared of snakes you might want to look away now.
Reptile-lover Jamie Bagshaw has been taking advantage of the heatwave to take his pet boaconstrictor Zakira for a walk in the park.
These pictures taken by Jamie show the 6ft long snake slithering around the climbing frame at the playground in Hare Hill Park, Littleborough. And the pair’s trips out have been causing quite a stir.
Jamie, 28, of Littleborough, said: “Because it’s been so warm recently I’ve had her in the park a few times - anything above 24-25c is OK to take her out.
“The last time the play area was empty so I let her have a slither over the climbing frame.
“I get a mixed response whenever I take her out.
“A lot of people are scared and anxious. You can see they want to come over, but you can also see the hesitation in their faces.
“Some people come up and ask if they can stroke her and ask lots of questions. Other people run to the other side of the park.”
The two-year-old snake, native to Central and South America, could reach up to 11ft when fully-grown.
As a cold-blooded reptile she needs to be kept in a special tank with a built in radiator to keep her warm.
But as the UK basks in one of the hottest sum- mers in recent years Jamie’s making sure she is getting plenty of fresh air.
Jamie said: “I’ve always loved animals, but when I was growing up my mum and dad wouldn’t let me have any pets
“So about 10 years ago I got a corn snake and it’s just gone from there. At the minute I’ve got three boa constrictors, two tarantulas and a bearded dragon - I’m really into reptiles. People say snakes can’t be tamed, but that’s never been scientifically proven.
“Zakira recognises me and she knows the difference between feeding time and handling time. If my partner has hold of her and I’m in the room she will try to come back to me.
“Some people think I shouldn’t take her to the park, but she’s never more than two or three feet away from me and she’s not quick enough to slither off.
“Some people have a phobia of dogs, but we let them off the lead to run around. It’s no different
“It’s not every day you see a snake in the park, so if you do see me come over and have a chat. It’s nothing to be scared of.”