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The Deep becomes UK's first attraction to display and breed rare Mexican snake

The Deep has become the first zoo or aquarium in the UK to display and successfully breed the rare Lake Zacapu Garter snake.

On 27 June the attraction welcomed the arrival of 7 hatchlings, 3 males and 4 females. The adults (1 male, 2 female) arrived at The Deep in February 2016 and have being living behind the scenes whilst their new home is built.

This new exhibit highlights fragile river habitats and the species specially adapted to inhabiting them.

Baby Lake Zacapu Garter snake Credit: The Deep

It’s very exciting to be the first in the UK to exhibit and breed this species of snake. We are looking forward to moving the adults in to their new home in Deep Blue One for all our visitors to see shortly

– Paul Wake, Aquarist, The Deep

Lake Zacapu Garter snakes (Thamnophis eques insperatus) is one of 7 subspecies of Garter snake classified in 2003 and can only be found in Laguna de Zacapu, Mexico, a small lake only 1km long and 400m wide.

With such a small range and the entire population located around a single body of water, this species is highly susceptible to threats in their environment.