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Headline: Charity Search For Owner of Snake in a Drain

Caption: The RSPCA is hoping to reunite a milk snake with its owner after the two-foot snake was discovered in a drain in Kingston Upon Thames, UK. The red, white and black striped snake was discovered at a garage workshop in Southsea Road on Tuesday (1 June) by the staff working there. They managed to contain the snake and contact the RSPCA for help. Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Jade Guthrie collected the poor snake and took him to a nearby reptile specialist. She said: “This poor snake was found in a drain but thankfully the staff at the garage spotted him and confined him in a box. I think he’s likely to be an escaped pet as he was a decent weight so has clearly had someone looking after him quite recently. “Snakes are excellent escape artists so I suspect this milk snake had escaped from a vivarium somewhere so we are very keen to try and reunite the reptile with the owner.” Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets. The charity would always recommend owners invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and that the enclosure is kept secure (and locked if necessary) when unattended. It is possible to microchip snakes and we would recommend that owners ask their vet to do this, so that snakes can be easily reunited if lost and found. Reptiles, particularly snakes, will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to escape. The RSPCA collects more snakes over the summer months. It is possible that some of these are escapees becoming more active in warmer weather. It is also possible that this could be due to snakes having more opportunity to escape, if owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight. It is good for reptiles to be allowed the opportunity for natural sunlight, however the RSPCA would urge owners to ensure that their reptile is kept secure when doing so, as reptiles can warm up and become very quick to move on a sunny day. The RSPCA advises anyone who finds a snake they believe is non-native to keep a safe distance, monitor the snake and to contact the charity for advice. If you’re the owner of this snake, please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

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