Rattlesnakes, vipers and Mexican bearded lizards are among the wild animals kept as pets at homes across Worcestershire – and the number has increased.
Born Free, an organisation that works to stop the exploitation of wild animals, revealed 50 dangerous animals were kept as pets in the county in 2024.
Since this, the number has now reached 69.
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The most widely kept animal in Worcestershire was the Mexican Jumping Viper – a venomous snake found in Mexico.
There are currently 13 Mexican Jumping Vipers recorded.
How many dangerous animals are being kept as pets in Worcestershire?
Redditch
- Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake: 2
- Cape Coral Cobra: 2
- Eyelash Viper: 2
- Bush Viper: 2
- Rhinoceros Viper: 2
- Monocled Cobra: 2
- Cuvier’s Caiman: 1
Wychavon
- Red Diamond Rattlesnake: 7
- Black-Tailed Rattlesnake: 2
- Uracoan Rattlesnake: 1
- Mexican Jumping Viper: 13
- American Copperhead: 5
- Mexican Beaded Lizard: 4
- Sharp Nosed Viper: 2
- Saharan Horned Viper: 1
- Green Cat-Eyed Snake: 1
- Fan-Si-Pan Horned Pit Viper: 1
- Nose Horned Viper: 4
- Brazilian Lancehead: 3
- White-Lipped Pit Viper: 1
- Pygmy Rattlesnake: 5
Certain wild animals are considered to be so dangerous that the keeper must have a licence to say they are allowed to do so.
The law was initially introduced in response to public concern about the keeping of dangerous pets, especially big cats.
It aims to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals, there is no risk to the public.
It also safeguards the welfare of the animals.
It can be applied via your local authority website.
