Data compiled by Born Free, which works to stop the exploitation and suffering of wild animals, indicates that a number of dangerous wild animals are licensed to live in the county.
Among these is a western diamondback rattlesnake – a large, aggressive, venomous and highly-dangerous pit viper.
This type of snake, which usually lives in North America, is second only to the eastern diamondback among rattlesnakes with regard to size and fatalities delivered by its bite.
The Born Free data also indicates that other venomous snakes are living in South Gloucestershire.
Data suggests the county is home to one horned viper, one banded rock rattlesnake and two eyelash vipers.
In addition, it contains one Chinese alligator and one ostrich, the data indicates.
Born Free said the data may represent the maximum number allowed on a licence, the minimum number or the number in possession at the time of the data request.
Western diamondbacks have triangular heads, short tails and diamond-shaped scale patterning.
They are known for their aggressive nature and their willingness to bite those who threaten them.
A western diamondback’s bite can deliver as much as 800 mg of venom to its victim.
This can cause pain, swelling, and the death of body tissue at the site of the bite, as well as kidney damage and issues with blood coagulation.
Some 10 to 20 per cent of untreated bites are fatal.
The snakes typically live in arid and semiarid scrublands in North America, from southern California to western Arkansas in the US and south to northern Mexico.
The majority of western diamondbacks average between 1.2 and 1.8 meters in length.
A 2023 survey by Born Free said that more than 2,700 dangerous wild animals are licensed to be kept privately in Great Britain.
However, Born Free said many more may be kept without a licence.
It added that 187 private addresses across 126 local authorities have licences to keep animals like tigers, lions, crocodilians and venomous reptiles.