Although snakes are found all over the world, from Australia to the Arctic, they are notably absent in this country.
This unique country is the Republic of Ireland. Even more strangely, other reptile species thrive here, except for snakes. Many people have lived their entire lives without ever seeing a snake in real life.
Ireland is a country located in the northwest of Europe, occupying about 5/6 of the island of Ireland in the south. To the north and west of the island is the Atlantic Ocean, while the northeastern side is bordered by the North Channel. To the east, the Irish Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. George’s Channel, with the Celtic Sea to the southwest. The Republic of Ireland covers an area of 70,273 km2.
Snakes in this country can only be found in zoos. According to local legend, Saint Patrick used his divine powers to drive serpents—symbolizing evil—into the sea. This is an intriguing tale, but it certainly does not reflect historical reality.
There are absolutely no snakes to be found here.
In fact, the primary reason Ireland has no snakes is that it is an island!
Long ago, Ireland was part of a larger landmass. However, during the Ice Age, temperatures in the region dropped too low for cold-blooded reptiles—including snakes—forcing them to migrate southward.
When the Ice Age ended about 10,000 years ago, the ice began to melt, and cold waters continued to flow, submerging the land bridge that once connected Ireland to other countries.
Historical evidence suggests that many animal species—such as brown bears, wild boars, and lynxes—managed to cross this area before it was submerged. One reptile did succeed in doing so—the lizard. Unfortunately for snakes, they missed the opportunity.
In Ireland, many people have purchased snakes as pets.
Over time, the absence of snakes has become a point of pride for Ireland, leading the country to adopt snakes as a symbol. Consequently, many people have bought snakes as pets, and there have been numerous cases of them escaping into the wild.
Nevertheless, no snake species has fully adapted, and Ireland proudly maintains its title as the country without snakes.
