Snake makes hiss-elf right at home in garden shed
AHARMLESS potter around the garden ended with a huge shock for one Macclesfield resident - when she discovered a snake had slithered into her wood shed.
The woman was rooting around in the outbuilding off Wilmslow Road, Adlington, when she uncovered a corn snake hidden in bin bags.
The adult snake - coloured orange and white - was one metre in length but harmless and believed to be an escaped pet.
RSPCA officers were called to carry out a reptile rescue on Sunday, July 5, and the charity has now appealed for its owner to come forward.
Inspector Caren Goodman-James, from the RSPCA, said: “The member of the public who contacted us had quite a shock when they were looking in their wood shed and came across this snake slithering amongst the bin bags.
“It’s not every day you find a snake in your garden shed! We don’t know how long this snake may have been on the loose but the reptile had clearly been owned as was used to being handled.
“If you live near Wilmslow Road and have lost a snake, or have any information on where it might have come from, please contact us on our inspectorate appeal line.”
Corn snakes are not native to the UK - they are found in the USA - but their docile nature can make them popular pets.
This particular one was said to still be in healthy condition when found but would not have been able to survive in the wild.
The RSPCA says its officers are called to more snake incidents in the summer as the warmth makes reptiles more active and owners can often take them outside for some sun.
Owners are advised to get pets such as snakes microchipped.
Caren said: “It’s likely that this snake has escaped which is a timely reminder to snake owners that they must ensure that their animals’ accommodation is secure.
“Snakes are not only good escape artists, they, like other exotic pets, have specialist needs which are difficult to meet in a domestic environment. Anyone thinking of taking on that responsibility needs to thoroughly research what it entails before deciding to commit to getting one.”
The snake is being cared for at a rescue centre and will be rehomed if the owner does not come forward. Anyone with information about the owner can call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.