FOR SNAKE PEOPLE

Rare tiger snake attracts global interest By Daniel McCulloch Updated February 2 2015 - 11:40pm, first published 11:36pm

Reptile Rescue Tasmania’s Bruce Press with ‘‘Rocky’’ the Tasmanian tiger snake ... ‘‘Rocky’’ has a genetic deformity that has left her with 28 marble-sized lumps on her back and another four on her side.

A TASMANIAN tiger snake with a rare spinal condition is attracting immense international attention.

Reptile Rescue Tasmania chief Bruce Press discovered the 60-centimetre snake during a routine house call on the East Coast last week.

‘‘Rocky’’ has a genetic deformity that has left her with 28 marble-sized lumps on her back and another four on her side.

It is believed to be just the 16th snake in the world diagnosed with the condition, known as Charcot’s Disease.

For now, Rocky is healthy, pain-free and comfortable, and is able to move freely.

But Mr Press explains eventually her spine will fuse, and she will not live a long life.

Since posting his discovery on social media, Mr Press has been inundated with calls from snake enthusiasts and global media.

‘‘The first two calls in the early hours were from America, then calls from England and New Guinea,’’ Mr Press said.

‘‘When I woke up this morning there were 278 missed calls on my phone and almost a flat battery.’’

‘‘It’s just all day long, constant media attention with this snake,’’ he said.

Mr Press plans to keep a daily journal on Rocky, which he will then pass on to researchers.

Rocky’s days will be seen out in captivity, so she does not pass the defect on to other snakes.