If you were thinking about buying an exotic and venomous snake, think twice. Malta's laws require all owners of venomous animals to own anti-venom shots.

The information was given when Environment Minister Leo Brincat was answering a parliamentary question put by opposition MP Mario Galea. He said that The Animal Welfare Act, published in the Government Gazette on 14 April stipulates that animal owners must have enough anti-venom to counteract the effects of the particular animal they own, should they be bitten.