The RSPCA is requiring details after 2 overlooked carpet python snakes were discovered abandoned in South Yorkshire, one “seriously emaciated”.
A council employee found the 2 young snakes – one 6 and one 8 feet long – in a cardboard box in Austerfield near Doncaster last Thursday (3 August), and took the reptiles to the charity’s regional branch. The set then required to be moved for immediate care at an expert veterinarian.
On evaluation, the albino carpet python – thought to be male – was discovered to be seriously emaciated and offered a body condition rating of simply one out of 5, the RSPCA said in a declaration. He was likewise dealt with for a breathing infection and mouth rot. The other snake, believed to be female, remained in much better health.
RSPCA inspector Ben Cottle-Shaw, who is examining the occurrence, said: “It’s clear from the very poor condition of the albino snake that this animal’s needs hadn’t been properly met for a long time and he would certainly have died eventually if he hadn’t been found.”
Mr Cottle-Shaw said the RSPCA suspect they were abandoned pets, and the owner may have tried – unsuccessfully – to rehome them themselves, “or the person who owned them has lost interest or couldn’t afford to keep them anymore and they were sadly abandoned as a result.
He said it was never acceptable to dump pets in circumstances like this, and urged urge anyone who recognised these snakes to contact their inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. When the snakes have been rehabilitated, new, suitable homes will be found for them.
Last year, the RSPCA received 1,031 reports involving snakes in need of help. The charity said exotic pets like these pythons often ended up in their care after people realise they’re not easy to care for.
“The needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet because they are just the same as they would be in the wild, and are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a domestic environment,” senior scientific officer Evie Button said.
“We urge prospective owners of reptiles such as snakes to thoroughly research the needs of the particular species and what is required in the care of the animal, using expert sources. People should only consider keeping a snake if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs.”
Snakes are entirely based on their owners for the proper accommodation, heating, lighting and feed, all of which should reproduce their wild environment as carefully as possible to keep them healthy – and to enable them to express their regular behaviour, she said.
Most unique animals kept as family pets are not likely to be able to make it through in the wild in Britain and non-native types might present a severe hazard to native wildlife. It is prohibited to launch, or to enable to leave, any types that are not typically belonging to the UK.
If anybody discovers a snake they think is non-native the RSPCA’s guidance is to keep a safe range, keep an eye on the snake and call the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or a regional reptile charity will likewise have the ability to help.
