REPRESENTATIVES from the RSPCA captured an escaped snake from a Bromsgrove GP surgery after it slid out of a box it had been put in.
The corn snake was found in a pensioner’s car which was parked on Gilbert Road on Friday evening (July 1).
She was en route to the doctor’s and, on seeing the reptile, went inside to ask for help.
Staff at the surgery managed to put it in a box in the building for safe keeping while the RSPCA was contacted to come and collect it.
But when the inspector arrived, the slippery character was nowhere to be seen.
Insp Suzi Smith said: “Staff were concerned he was still in the elderly lady’s car so I went along to check – but he was still nowhere to be seen.
“He really was a master of escape.”
The crafty corn snake managed to stay at large for three days but residents and patients will be pleased and relieved to hear that yesterday morning (Monday), just before the surgery was due to open, it was relocated and recaptured.
“Thankfully this cheeky little snake is now safely contained in a vivarium at an exotics boarding establishment,” added Suzi.
She added corn snakes were one of the most commonly-kept exotic pets but it was very peculiar to have found this snake in a car and it is still a mystery as to where it came from in the first place.
“At this time of year we do see a rise in the number of reptiles that come in to the RSPCA after they are found out and about.
“Sometimes it is because they have been dumped. Other times they are escaped pets.
“When the weather warms up reptiles do become more active so can be much quicker than people realise.”
She said corn snakes had a reputation as being good escapologists and urged any residents with reptiles to keep them secure, particularly if they were taking them outside to give them some natural sunlight.
Anyone with any information about where this snake has come from should call the RSPCA Inspectorate Appeal Line on 0300 123 8018.
