While most people keep dogs or cats as pets – you may be surprised to know there are 13 really wild animals living in Dacorum.
Information obtained by The Gazette from Dacorum Borough Council show the animals are kept under a Dangerous Wild Animals license – and include two venomous lizards and an alligator!
But don’t worry – the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 ensures that those who keep wild animals do so in a way that minimises the risk to the public.
The act was created to tackle the issue of people keeping exotic pe in the late-1960s and early-1970s.
Here are the amazing animals making their home in Dacorum.
9. Saw Scaled Viper
These vipers are found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In their characteristic threat display, they rub their body together to to produce a "sizzling" warning sound. A single bite of this snake as enough venom to kill multiple people. Photo: RealityImages - stock.adobe.com
10. Snouted Cobra
The snake, known by its scientific name as naja annulifera, is a highly venomous species of cobra found in Southern Africa. Photo: Jorge - stock.adobe.com
11. Brown Recluse Spider
This spider, known by its scientific name as Loxosceles reclusa, has necrotic venom and similar to those of other recluse spiders, their bites sometimes require medical attention. They can live between two to four years. Photo: Corey O'Hara
12. Spectacled Cobra
Also known as the Indian cobra, this specifies is found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. As carnivores, they feed on a range of small mammals, frogs, birds, lizards and other reptiles including snakes. Their main method of killing prey is to strike them and then use their venom in order to quickly incapacitate the prey allowing them can swallow it. Photo: RealityImages - stock.adobe.com