Owning pet reptiles such as snakes and lizards is not everyone's cup of tea, although one lucky resident of Southampton may be unwittingly harbouring a slithery serpent without knowing it, after it emerged that a California Kingsnake which escaped from a local reptile centre six months ago is still on the loose.
Measuring five feet in length and belonging to Darren and Allison Cotton, Sammy the snake had been left in the care of the Southampton Reptile Centre while the couple went on holiday last September, although somehow managed to escape from his tank one night, the Daily Echo reports.
Staff at the centre insist the snake could not have left the premises and that in all probability he would not survive in the wild, but snake expert James Grant of Grange Reptiles in Botley says that the reptile could well be in brumation in a nearby house.
If anyone does happen to find a snake in their home then the best thing to do is to get in touch with the RSPCA, who will then deal with removing the reptile before having it checked out at an animal pharmacy.
