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 house owners to be additional vigilant and preserve 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 attributable to the climate and a few 200,000 extra of the reptiles being stored as pets this 12 months.
Most not too long ago 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 12 months alone there was an additional 200,000 snakes being stored as pets in line with Good Morning Britain (GMB).
This GMB stated took the full 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 very best variety of calls coming in in the course of the summer season months. This is no surprise, as snakes change into extra energetic throughout sizzling climate.
“So we might urge all pet snake house owners to be additional vigilant right now of 12 months, spend money on an enclosure appropriate for the actual species and make it possible for the enclosure is stored safe – and locked if needed – when unattended.
“Another purpose why extra snakes escape in the summertime is that some house owners take them exterior to make the most of the pure daylight.
“While daylight is nice for reptiles, the RSPCA urges house owners 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 referred to 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 circumstances of pet house owners abandoning their reptile associates.
Ms Button continued: “Sadly, we additionally need to cope with quite a 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 referred to as out to cope with lots of of animals yearly who’ve sadly been deserted when their house owners can not meet their wants.
“Exotic pets reminiscent of snakes usually find yourself within the RSPCA’s care after folks realise they don’t seem to be straightforward to look after, or the novelty wears off.
“Others are rescued after they’ve been deserted or launched on objective, which then might pose a threat to our native wildlife.”
GMB debates whether or not snakes must be stored as pets
With a surge in pet snakes escaping their houses and roaming free 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, vast open areas not in cramped tanks in somebody’s home.”
Ms Monroe added they’ve particular wants like regulated temperatures, particular diets and require a number of area.
She agreed with the RSPCA in that when the novelty for pet house owners wore off, they’d simply launch their pet snakes, which was not the suitable factor to do.
Ms Monroe stated: “I feel as soon as the novelty of getting an unique pet wares off and other people realise the duties that include them and the bills that include them too, as a result of you need to preserve 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 must be a ban on unique pets whereas 26% stated no there should not be.
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There are solely three sorts of snakes native to the UK – an adder, a grass snake and a clean 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 preserve a protected distance, monitor the snake and name the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or an area reptile charity may even be capable to assist.