Britain's Longest Serving Shelter Resident: Bernard the Boa Awaits a Home
An animal rescue centre in Brighton is on a mission to find a loving new home for a remarkable snake who has earned the title of Britain's longest serving shelter resident. Bernard, a Boa constrictor, has been residing at the RSPCA's Brighton shelter for an astonishing 1,490 days, which equates to over five years, making him the charity's longest staying resident in their care.
A Gentle Giant with Distinctive Features
Bernard is a 15-year-old reptile who measures an impressive eight and a half feet in length. He displays a striking earthy beige colouring adorned with intricate red and brown markings along his body. In terms of diet, this sizable snake consumes a substantial meal of a foot-long rat or a small rabbit every 10 to 14 days, reflecting his robust appetite and needs.
Personality and Background
Staff at the centre affectionately describe Bernard as a 'happy chap' who enjoys relaxing in his enclosure, often seen lounging under the lights while 'waiting for food'. Fred Bark, the 30-year-old Head of Reptiles, shared that Bernard was surrendered by his previous owner in 2021. The former owner cited a lack of space to accommodate him at their new residence as the reason for giving him up.
Fred elaborated on Bernard's temperament, noting, 'Bernard is a friendly snake. He is a gentle giant, really. He is quite happy to be handled, but as he is getting older, he can get a little stroppy sometimes which normally is the case.' His favourite foods are rats and rabbits, which the centre provides on a regular basis to keep him content.
Species Insights and Adoption Requirements
Boa constrictors are non-venomous serpents native to the rainforests of Central and South America. They can grow up to 18 feet in length and typically have a lifespan of around 30 years, indicating that Bernard still has many years ahead of him with proper care.
The ideal adopter for Bernard is someone with expertise in handling serpents, who can dedicate the necessary time and energy to his wellbeing. Fred emphasised that the new owner must provide a sufficiently large enclosure equipped with appropriate lighting and heating apparatus to ensure Bernard's health and comfort.
How to Adopt Bernard
Bernard is currently available for adoption through the RSPCA Brighton shelter. Interested individuals with the requisite experience and resources are encouraged to reach out to discuss giving this long-term resident a forever home. For more information or to express interest, please contact the shelter directly.
