The only country where snakes have never been seen since the beginning of time

This special country is the Republic of Ireland. What is even more strange is that other reptiles still thrive here, except for snakes. Many people from childhood to adulthood have never seen a snake in real life.

The only country that has never had a snake since the beginning - 1 — Other reptiles still live in Ireland except for snakes. (Photo: Nat Geo)

Ireland is a country in northwestern Europe, occupying about five-sixths of the island of Ireland to the south. To the north and west of the island of Ireland is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the northeast is the North Channel. To the east, the Irish Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean via St George's Channel and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. The Republic of Ireland has an area of 70,273 km2.

Snakes in this country can only be found in zoos. The Irish believe that St. Patrick is the patron saint of their country. He completely exterminated snakes 16 centuries ago. He lured them into a giant chest, then stood on a cliff and threw them into the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. However, scientists say that is impossible.

According to scientists, during the Ice Age, the climate in Ireland and Britain was so cold that cold-blooded reptiles, including snakes, could not survive there and had to move south. When the Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago, the ice began to melt, allowing cold water to flow, submerging the road connecting Ireland and other countries today.

Melting glaciers flooded the landlocked land of Ireland 8,500 years ago, while Britain survived for another 2,000 years.

The only country that has never had a snake since the beginning - 2 — The Irish believe that St. Patrick eradicated snakes in the country. (Photo: Nat Geo)

So animals from Europe simply had more time to settle in Britain, and three species of snakes even settled in Britain. None of these snakes moved west towards Ireland, and there is no evidence of any slithering reptiles reaching Ireland.

The lack of snakes later became a national reputation for Ireland, leading to the country adopting snakes as its symbol. The Irish people were very afraid of snakes because they believed that they represented evil, ugliness and temptation that always existed in each of us.

Quoc Thai (Source: Nat Geo)

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