Buried in dead leaves, a royal python was discovered near the Jardin des Plantes in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon. After taking him to safety, the emergency services proceeded to identify him and are looking for his owner.
The capture of a royal python in the center of Lyon
The discovery of an imposing snake shook the Lyonnais on Sunday October 6, 2024 afternoon. A royal python was hidden under dead leaves, not far from the Jardin des Plantes in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon.
Little reassured, the passers-by did not dare to act to remove the animal. Before a young man decides to place him in a cat cage using a stick, a witness recounts the scene to local media Actu no one wanted to do it, so he did it”.
Indeed, the impressive reptile found itself in an unusual place, one of the passers-by explained: people were curious, they didn't want to go near the snake. Without knowing your breed, when you don't know snakes, it's scary”.
Necessary emergency intervention
After the snake was out of danger, help arrived and a specialized brigade for this type of intervention was requested. They moved the python from the cat cage to a glass cage. Before proceeding with its identification, thanks to its chip.
For the moment, no information has been shared regarding the outcome of the intervention; we do not know if the reptile escaped or if it was abandoned by its owner.
A few words about the royal python…
Python Regis from its scientific name, is endemic to West and Central Africa. Which is all the more surprising to see him in the streets of Lyon.
But the reassuring side of the story is that this species of snakes is non-venomous. The latter is known for its calm temperament, which makes it a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts, and is widely trafficked for this reason. Its “royal” name recalls the habit of ancient African kings of wearing it wrapped around the wrist like a jewel, notably the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. Relatively small, it generally reaches a length of 1.2 to 1.5 meters according to the National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN). Finally, this reptile is easily recognizable thanks to its dark brown coloring with patterns in the form of light spots. In captivity, it can live up to 30 years. And according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it is not considered an endangered species.
Sources : News, INPN, CITES
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
