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A resident of the Las Chismosas housing development in Orihuela Costa, situated between Playa Flamenca and La Florida, got quite a shock when she found a snake on the porch of her house. Not sure what to do, she got in touch with the Orihuela Local Police.

 

When officers arrived, they found the reptile was acting aggressively, which is a fairly common reaction when an animal feels cornered. Even so, they managed to capture it safely using the right equipment for the job, without causing it any harm.

 

Once it had been safely secured, the snake was taken to a natural area away from any housing developments and released, where it can carry on with its life without posing any risk to residents.

 

As temperatures rise across Spain, sightings like this tend to become more common, as snakes come out of hiding to bask in the sun, hunt and look for mates. They can turn up in rural areas, near rivers, on walking trails and occasionally in gardens too.

 

The good news is that most snakes found in Spain are harmless and would much rather avoid people altogether. Of the dozen or so native species, only a handful are venomous, with various types of viper being the best known. Bites can be serious, but deaths are extremely rare.

 

If you spot a snake, the advice is to leave it alone rather than touch it, corner it or try to kill it, both for your own safety and because many species are protected by law. They also help keep rodent numbers down, so they're worth having around.

 

If one ends up inside a building, it's best to keep your distance and give it a clear way out if possible. If it won't budge or seems likely to cause a problem, local emergency services can help.

 

Image: Policia Local de Orihuela