5ft snake rescued after being found outside McDonalds
The boa constrictor is being cared for by RSPCA teams
A stray boa constrictor has been rescued by the RSPCA after being found outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Bognor Regis.
The animal was discovered by a member of the public outside the fast-food chain's store in Oldlands Way, who initially believed it to be an adder.
They passed the poor animal over to the McDonald’s staff who contained him in a box and then reported the incident to the RSPCA.
Arriving at the site, RSPCA Inspector Hannah Nixon said:
“Based on the report that was phoned in, I was expecting an adder - which is a fairly common native British snake.
“But when I peeked in the box, I was confronted with a full 5ft of boa constrictor - an exotic, non-native snake and not what I was expecting at all!
"The poor animal did look like he had been in the wars a bit, with a few scratches and cuts, so I have taken the boa to our Stubbington Ark animal centre in Fareham, Hampshire, to get him checked out.
“Snakes become particularly active in hot weather, so we suspect this may be an escaped pet. We are hoping to reunite him with his owners, so would urge anyone with information to contact us on 0300 123 0818.”
Last year, the RSPCA received 1,219 reports about pet snakes in need of help, with numbers of calls reaching a height of around 180 per month during the hottest months of June, July and August.
This year, as the heatwave continues, the charity is advising snake owners to be particularly careful and to double-check that the animals’ enclosures are securely fastened.
Hannah added:
“Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
"Last year, we took over 1,200 reports about snakes, with the highest number of calls coming in during the summer months. This is not surprising, as snakes become more active during hot weather.
"So we would urge all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended.”