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They may have the ability to kill a human, but these venomous snakes are more intent on settling into their new home in the North-East than posing any threat. The 30 snakes were among the largest batch of poisonous reptiles ever seized in the UK in an operation led by officers from the County Durham-based Reptile Trust. After being seized in Devon on Wednesday they were brought to the Trust facilities in Burnopfield, where they will be cared for until a court case to decide whether the creatures can return to their owners. Among the snakes recovered were rattlesnakes, various species of viper and sidewinders. The haul also included an adult gaboon viper which has the longest fangs of any venomous snake in the world. Peter Heathcote of the Trust said: "They have settled in really well and the staff here have been working around the clock to make sure everything is perfect for them in terms of recreating their natural environment. "We shall probably keep them here for two months or so until the court case which will decide whether they were brought into this country illegally. Some of them are not poisonous and they may well be allowed to go back to their owners, but it unlikely that the venomous ones will. "We will have to try and find homes for these, nationally or internationally, but they will find new homes eventually. Until then they can consider the North-East their home." |