The reddish-orange reptile was found in the Cove area just across from the West End Gas Station.

It has now added to the foreign creatures such as frogs, African snails, black rats and iguanas which have so far invaded Anguilla, the result of plants and various other imports into the island.

The corn snake, also known as the red rat snake, is one of several species in the United States. They are described as being large, powerful but non-venomous. They feed on mice and other small rodents including frogs, lizards which they overpower by constriction.

Corn snakes are often killed because they are mistaken for the copperhead, a venomous species.

It is hoped that the Anguilla National Trust will keep an eye out for similar non-indigenous snakes and decide what to do with them.

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