The craze for exotic pets is fuelling rising numbers of snakebites recorded in the UK, according to new research.

In just over a decade, 321 cases involving 68 different species were registered by the National Poisons Information Service.

They included 72 under 18s - of whom 13 were just five years old or younger. Nine patients were bitten twice - and one three times. Of those bitten, 15 had severe symptoms.

READ MORE: Councillors vote to keep Cowley LTNs

Co-author Professor David Warrell of the University of Oxford said: "Our results show an overall increase in the number of exotic snakebites reported to the NPIS compared to previous figures.

"Most of these bites occur to fingers, hands and wrists following deliberate handling interaction by people who keep snakes as part of their occupation or hobby.

"While ownership of many poisonous species requires a special licence in the UK, it is recognised some individuals may keep these snakes illegally - meaning the true numbers of exotic snakebite injuries may be underestimated."

At least 125,000 people worldwide are killed each year by snake bites. But the real figure could be much higher, as some countries don't keep accurate records.

Tragic Luke Yeomans, 47, died in June 2011 after being attacked by a king cobra at his home in Nottingham.

The conservationist had previously survived a bite from an eastern green mamba - and had been due to open a sanctuary to save snakes from extinction.

The World Health Organisation has added 'snakebite' to its list of neglected tropical diseases.

Prof Warrell and colleagues analysed an audit of enquiries registered by the NPIS between 2009 and 2020 by experts from leading institutions across the UK.

READ MORE: Woman dies and man suffers ‘potentially life-altering injury’ after dog attack

The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers more than 250 species of poisonous snake as medically important - most native to Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania.

But the possibility of encountering these dangerous species is no longer limited by geography.

In recent years, snake ownership has increased in popularity in the UK. It is estimated that around one in 100 households now own a pet snake.

Advice to NHS healthcare professionals on managing exotic snakebites is available in the UK on a 24-hour basis through the NPIS.

The authorsof the new study examined all phone calls involving snakebites that were received by the service between January 2009 and December 2020.

They excluded enquiries about the European adder - the only species of poisonous snake native to the UK - or where the identity of the snake was unknown.

Around two thirds (207) occurred in men - and a fifth (22.5 per cent) in children.

Almost six in ten (184) were inflicted by snakes of the family Colubridae.
These include hognose snakes, king snakes and false water cobras. Almost ten percent (30) were by Viperidae species, including western diamondback rattlesnakes and copperheads.

Fewer than one in twenty (14) were by Elapidae species - most commonly Indian cobras, monocled cobras and king cobras.

Most snakebites resulted in either no or mild to moderate symptoms. All serious cases were caused by front-fanged Viperidae or Elapidae. In total, seventeen people received antivenom treatment.

The study was published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.