The information comes after a 12-foot python was noticed slithering down a avenue in West Bromwich on Tuesday.
The RSPCA was unable to attend so police response officers have been compelled to step in to detain the reptile.
RSPCA points snake warning
The RSPCA has previously issued warnings about snakes advising unique pet homeowners to be further vigilant and hold their snakes securely contained “as sizzling climate could make the animals very energetic and extra prone to escape”.
In 2021 there have been 1,219 stories of pet snakes escaping.
A surge in runaway snakes in Britain has been brought on by the climate and a few 200,000 extra of the reptiles being stored as pets this yr.
Most lately within the West Midlands, an enormous 12ft python needed to be faraway from the road by police 🐍
Is it time to ban unique pet possession? pic.twitter.com/dQ2FJ35plE
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 7, 2023
Fast ahead to 2023 and this yr alone there was an additional 200,000 snakes being stored as pets in response to Good Morning Britain (GMB).
This GMB stated took the entire variety of snakes being stored as pets to just about a million.
RSPCA Scientific Officer, Evie Button, stated: “Snakes are glorious escape artists and can take the chance of a niche in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
“(In 2021) we took over 1,200 stories about snakes, with the best variety of calls coming in throughout the summer season months. This isn’t a surprise, as snakes turn out to be extra energetic throughout sizzling climate.
“So we might urge all pet snake homeowners to be further vigilant presently of yr, spend money on an enclosure appropriate for the actual species and make it possible for the enclosure is stored safe – and locked if vital – when unattended.
“Another purpose why extra snakes escape in the summertime is that some homeowners take them exterior to reap the benefits of the pure daylight.
“While daylight is nice for reptiles, the RSPCA urges homeowners to make sure that their pet is stored safe when doing so, as they will heat up and transfer in a short time on a sunny day.
“Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are known as to gather are regarded as escaped pets.”
But it is not simply snakes which have escaped captivity which are the issue, sadly there are additionally instances of pet homeowners abandoning their reptile pals.
Ms Button continued: “Sadly, we additionally should take care of a whole lot of deserted snakes. We discover that many individuals are unaware of how a lot of a dedication these animals are once they take them on, which we consider could also be why we’re known as out to take care of tons of of animals yearly who’ve sadly been deserted when their homeowners can now not meet their wants.
“Exotic pets equivalent to snakes usually find yourself within the RSPCA’s care after individuals realise they don’t seem to be simple to take care of, or the novelty wears off.
“Others are rescued after they’ve been deserted or launched on objective, which then might pose a danger to our native wildlife.”
GMB debates whether or not snakes ought to be stored as pets
With a surge in pet snakes escaping their houses and roaming unfastened within the UK, GMB debated whether or not it was time to ban unique pet possession.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) consultant Chelsea Monroe on GMB stated “Snakes don’t make good pets“.
She added: “They belong in rainforests or desserts, woodland areas, large open areas not in cramped tanks in somebody’s home.”
Ms Monroe added they’ve particular wants like regulated temperatures, particular diets and require plenty of house.
She agreed with the RSPCA in that after the novelty for pet homeowners wore off, they might simply launch their pet snakes, which was not the precise factor to do.
Ms Monroe stated: “I feel as soon as the novelty of getting an unique pet wares off and folks realise the duties that include them and the bills that include them too, as a result of you need to hold the tank operating 24 hours a day, usually when that novelty wares off they’re abondoned and uncared for.”
In a ballot on their X (previously Twitter) account 74% of individuals stated sure there ought to be a ban on unique pets whereas 26% stated no there should not be.
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There are solely three forms of snakes native to the UK – an adder, a grass snake and a easy snake.
There have additionally been plenty of wild adder sightings throughout the UK in recent months ensuing within the deaths of quite a few dogs.
The RSPCA stated if anybody finds a snake they consider is non-native they need to hold a secure distance, monitor the snake and name the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or a neighborhood reptile charity will even be capable to assist.
