Found dangerous reptile

[L00b 441]

Coming on here for some advice/raising awareness, as I have called 101 and given details to RSPCA Saturday morning (after first trying local Butterfly House in Dinnington), but so far as I know nothing's been done yet (I've not been called back by the RSPCA to take them to the location and it's been 48 hours: I don't expect instant service from a charity, but then...read on).

 

Walking our dog Saturday early morning, as usual the dog goes and 'does the rounds' of rabbit holes in a local field, bit of a dig and a sniff at each...and on a particular one, dog jerks back and sits rock still, pointing. Then starts barking. Very unusual behaviour. So I take a look in. And what should slowly lumber out of the hole: the head of a large exotic snake, looks like a Boa or juvenile Anaconda to my untrained eye (and Google images later on)

 

Head is as wide as my dog's snout (large patterdale cross, 17kgs, think 'young Lab' in size), so I'm surmising that what I didn't see of that snake, i.e. all of its body, is easily several feet. Colour is a deep dark red (nearly brown), with some white on top of the head. Deffo not a python, head shape is wrong. And absolutely not a 'local' grass snake or adder, head is far too big for that.

 

I have photographic evidence.

 

Now, that field has a lot of tall grass and water holes nearby [wherein the conspicuous absence of local fauna (rabbits, voles, etc.), of late, might have found its explanation], and dog walkers stream about it all day long (but nothing about a large exotic snake on local social media, so I'm guessing no-one else has seen it yet) and I'm getting a bit concerned that, if that snake doesn't get picked up soon -and weather warms up enough- someone's pet is gonna become dinner before long...if that snake doesn't make its way to the nearby housing estates first.

 

If anyone knows of an organisation that can help, please post or PM me.

Edited May 15, 2017 by L00b

[*Wallace* 333]

Wow well that wasn't an everyday doggie walk.

[Mayfly182 10]

I'd be worried for the snake, not for other people's pets. Snakes eat very infrequently (1-2 time a month at most) and can't subdivide their food in any way, so they can only eat what they can fit down their necks and they don't pick fights if they're not hungry or threatened. That snake is probably someone's escaped pet itself.

Try Reptilia Reptile Rescue, just South of Leeds or a nearby shop which specialises in reptiles.

 

The picture doesn't enough for definite identification, but according to a friend of mine who is into snakes it's part of the python/boa family and possibly a Burmese Python. At that size it's not going to be venomous, though.

Edited May 15, 2017 by Mayfly182

[*Wallace* 333]

I don't think any Boa or Python is venomous.

[Ghostrider 11]

I don't think any Boa or Python is venomous.

And you are correct...hopefully it is captured, and cared for soon.

[Glennis 15]

It will probably die if we have a cold winter. I hope it can be found.

[katkin 10]

Have you heard anything more from RSPCA? If enough of us contact them about it, they are more likely to investigate and (hopefully) find this snake before it is injured or dies.

 

It's either escaped or been dumped - sickens me that people do that but unfortunately, they do when they either get bored, the reptile gets to o big or aggressive to handle, or their circumstances change and they can't find another home for the animal.

 

---------- Post added 17-05-2017 at 13:54 ----------

 

And you are correct...hopefully it is captured, and cared for soon.

 

hope so.

[smithy266 21]

Hmmm, reminds me of Men Behaving Badly, the episode where they took a snake and released it at Cerne Abbas in Wiltshire, the erm.... figure, cut into the chalk downs.

[gnomi 10]

Try this reptile rescue? I don't trust the RSPCA when it comes to rehome go and these guys will know how to find and help the poor thing. My niece and her partner rescue snakes but they're in Stoke in Trent, so not much use!

 

Well done for finding him, I hope he survives..

 

TELEPHONE

01924 694461

EMAIL

[email protected]

[Glennis 15]

Try this reptile rescue? I don't trust the RSPCA when it comes to rehome go and these guys will know how to find and help the poor thing. My niece and her partner rescue snakes but they're in Stoke in Trent, so not much use!

 

Well done for finding him, I hope he survives..

 

TELEPHONE

01924 694461

EMAIL

[email protected]

 

This sounds excellent advice, as sometimes the RSPCA have to call in specialist rescuers for reptiles. I have seen it on the TV.

[advancedskim 10]

from the head size looks capable of taking a small dog\cat. Its probably just ate a rabbit hence the reason its down a rabbit hole.

[carpetviper 10]

That looks like a boa that's covered in mud and at this temp would be very cold and sluggish. I'd be surprised if it has eaten as it would struggle to digest any food let alone catch it. The snake will have gone down the hole for security and to feel safer.