A driver was late for work after what she believed was a mechanical problem with her car ended up being a snake under the bonnet.
Saira Ahmed sent a video of the snake poking out of her car’s front grille to her employer – as otherwise she didn’t believe she’d be thought.
Saira, from Oldland Common in Gloucestershire, launched her car when she heard a weird sound and feared a journey to the garage remained in order.
She said: ‘When I started my car, I had been hearing this really weird noise like a screw had fallen out or something.
‘I said to my partner Justin we need to get my car looked at.
‘There was a tiny head sticking out, then it went back in.’
A friend drove her car to a regional reptile shop, however when they showed up the corn snake had actually apparently vanished.
The sly reptile made a reappearance after bringing the car home, and when she called the RSPCA they recommended she call a mechanic.
However the mechanic they spoke with was ‘too scared of snakes’ to come out and handle it.
Out of desperation Saira relied on Facebook and had the ability to discover somebody regional who might try to rescue the snake.
Saira said: ‘I found a lady who loves snakes. She came round with a dead mouse in a frozen packet, which she put on the grille.
‘The snake moved out and onto the bonnet of the car where it was rescued.
‘I thought no-one [at work] is going to believe me if I say there’s a snake in my car.’
The reptile rescuer, Sian Fish, understands how to manage snakes as her boy keeps them as family pets.
Sian said: ‘We handle snakes daily and it’s about self-confidence. This snake had to do with 2.5ft.
‘Corn snakes are non-venomous and only generally bite if they are scared.
‘When it stuck its head out, it was probably looking for water as it’s been rather hot.
‘When it ducked back in, we opened the bonnet of the car and I coaxed it out, grabbing the tail.’
Corn snakes are kept as family pets, and Sian said the snake had most likely either got away or been launched by its owner.
She included: ‘It’s not a British snake. Since the high energy expenses in the run-up to Christmas, a great deal of snakes are being launched.
‘It probably was in the engine for warmth.’
The reptile is presently being cared for by Sian’s boy, and if no owner is discovered he will continue to look after it.
