Did you know, there is a range of dangerous wild animals living in Wiltshire, including wolves and cobras?

International wildlife charity Born Free recently revealed there are more than 2,700 dangerous wild animals being kept privately (with a licence) in the UK and Northern Ireland.

And there could be more being kept without a licence.

A Born Free survey, conducted back in 2023, revealed a total of 187 private addresses across 126 local authorities hold licences to keep dangerous wild animals such as lions, tigers, crocodiles, and venomous reptiles.

The dangerous wild animals living in Wiltshire

Wiltshire was among the areas in Britain where dangerous wild animals can be found.

The Born Free survey showed there are 73 dangerous wild animals living in Wiltshire, including American Plains Bison and Asian Leopard Cats.

The full list of dangerous wild animals living in Wiltshire, according to Born Free, are:

American Plains Bison: 47

Siamese Peninsular Pit Viper: 1

Native wild animals in the UK

You can see all the dangerous wild animals living in Britain, and where they are located, on the Born Free website .

The world’s most venomous snake that can be found living in Wiltshire

King Cobras are among the most venomous snakes in the world, according to National Geographic , and are one of the dangerous wild animals that call Wiltshire home.

They can grow up to 18 feet in length, making them the longest of all venomous snakes, and they have an average life span of around 20 years (in the wild).

King Cobras, which can weigh up to 20 pounds, usually live in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

National Geographic adds: “The king cobra—one of the most venomous snakes on the planet—can literally “stand up” and look a full-grown person in the eye.

“When confronted, they can lift up to a third of its body off the ground and still move forward to attack.

“Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible. It will also flare out its iconic hood and emit a hiss that sounds almost like a growling dog.”

RECOMMENDED READING:

Are King Cobras dangerous?

While a King Cobra’s venom is “not the most potent” among venomous snakes, the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite (up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce) is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant, National Geographic explains.

The wildlife experts add: “Their venom affects the respiratory centers in the brain, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.”