A snake which had been lacking for a 12 months was reunited with its proprietor after being dropped right into a backyard by a crow.
The RSPCA was known as to rescue the corn snake which had slithered up on to a close-by storage roof in Spennymoor, County Durham.
A resident then came to visit who was “completely delighted” to search out her pet, Agnus, who had been lacking for a 12 months.
The charity mentioned it was “gobsmacked” it survived each the crow attack and being with out warmth for therefore lengthy.
The 3ft (90cm) snake had been picked up by a crow and dropped when it “realised it had bitten off greater than it might chew”, RSPCA inspector John Lawson mentioned.
“After I rescued the snake a resident dwelling close by came to visit and was completely delighted because it was her lacking pet from a 12 months in the past known as Agnus.”
Mr Lawson mentioned he was “gobsmacked” Agnus had lived for therefore lengthy as a result of snakes are usually not capable of produce their very own physique warmth so that they depend on their setting to take care of their physique temperature.
Agnus was taken to the vets and handled for a respiratory an infection from being exterior within the chilly, then reunited together with her proprietor.
Mr Lawson mentioned: “The vet believes Agnus had gone into brumation mode, just like hibernation, and her physique had shut down as a way to survive.
“It actually is superb that she survived for therefore lengthy with out warmth – and in addition survived after a crow had determined to attempt to fly off together with her,” he added.
The RSPCA mentioned snakes had been “glorious escape artists and would take the chance of a spot in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it”.
It urged snake house owners to maintain an enclosure which was saved safe, and locked if essential, when unattended.