Two large snakes found in West Sussex in September
A 4ft-long royal python was found curled up under a bush in the Sussex village of West Ashling – the second large snake found in the village within a week – and reports have been made to the RSPCA that a third has been spotted.
The reptile was discovered by a horse-rider in a layby in Southbrook Road, West Ashling, on Sunday 24th September. RSPCA animal rescue officer Claire Thomas rescued the python and transferred it to a vet for a check-up.
It comes just a week after another large pet snake was rescued by the RSPCA in a field in the village on Monday 18th September.
And on 28th September, a report was made to the RSPCA that a 3.5ft-long python had been spotted in the village – but when an officer attended to collect it, the animal could no longer be found.
It is not known if the incidents are related, however the charity is concerned that a number of large snakes have been found in such a short space of time.
Claire said: “It’s not very often that we get called out to incidents involving large stray snakes so it may be that these incidents are related, though we cannot be sure at this stage. We don’t want to cause panic to anyone as royal pythons are not venomous snakes. It concerns us that these snakes have been outdoors just as the weather is getting cooler, as snakes need to be kept warm.”
Snakes are completely dependent on their owners for the correct accommodation, heating, lighting and feed, all of which must replicate their wild habitat as closely as possible to keep them healthy and allow them to express their normal behaviour. Without proper care they can suffer from serious diseases, dehydration, injuries, parasites, and in severe cases or if left untreated, they can eventually die.
Claire added: “If anyone has any information on these snakes, please do get in touch with us on 0300 123 8018. Or if they are escaped pets and you believe you are the owner, you can get in touch on the same number.”
If anyone in the area finds a snake they believe is non-native, the RSPCA’s advice is to keep a safe distance, monitor it and visit the charity’s website for advice: www.rspca.org.uk
Evie Button, the animal welfare charity’s senior scientific advisor, said: “Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
“Last year, we took more than one thousand reports about snakes, with the highest number of calls coming in during the summer months. This is not surprising, as snakes become more active during hot weather.
“The RSPCA urges all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure – and locked if necessary – when unattended.”
Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets.
Evie added: “Sadly, we also have to deal with a lot of abandoned snakes. We find that many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on, which we believe contributes to the hundreds of animals every year who have sadly been abandoned when their owners can no longer meet their needs.”
