RSPCA anticipates rise in 'stray snakes' in Wales over summer months
RSPCA Cymru says they're bracing themselves for an increase in reports about stray pet snakes during the summer months.
RSPCA Cymru is braced for an increase in reports about stray snakes during the summer months.
The charity is also expecting other snake-related incidents to rise this summer and is advising pet snake owners to be extra-vigilant in the warmer weather.
Snake incident reports across England and Wales peak in the warmer months:
New data reveals that snake incident reports across England and Wales peak in the warmer months of July, August and September.
Last year, they totalled 383 during that period, an 18% rise compared to 2023 (323 incidents).
In the face of this upward trend, the RSPCA fears totals for this summer could rise again.
In total, the RSPCA received 982 reports involving snakes in need of help last year - a six percent increase on 2023 numbers (928).
At least 267 of 2024’s reports were about snakes that had been found loose or stray.
25 reports of stray snakes in Wales last year:
In Wales there were 25 reports last year and 37 in 2023.
The counties with the most reports were Cardiff (5), Flintshire (3) and Swansea (3)
And 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.
Unless sick, injured or in danger, native snakes should be left undisturbed says RSPCA Cymru.
If the snake appears to be a pet, people are urged to keep their distance and visit the RSPCA’s website for information on what to do.
RSPCA senior scientific officer Evie Button said:
“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 almost one thousand reports about snakes - more than in 2023 - 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 as the UK continues to swelter this summer, we’re braced for another influx of calls.
The RSPCA says another reason snakes escape in the summer is that some owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight.
While sunlight is good for reptiles, the RSPCA urges owners to ensure that their pet is kept secure when doing so, as they can warm up and move very quickly on a sunny day.
The warning comes after an RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer rescued a stray snake in a Greenwich, London fish and chip shop after receiving a report about a ‘python’ that was on the loose on the seventh of July.
Evie continued:
“Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets. Others turn out to be an iconic part of Britain’s wildlife - native snakes such as grass snakes and adders that have been misidentified as stray exotic pets.
“Exotic pets such as snakes often end up in the RSPCA’s care after people realise they're not easy to care for, or the novelty wears off. Others are rescued after they have been abandoned or been released on purpose, which then could pose a risk to our native wildlife.
“People should only consider keeping a snake if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs.”
Most exotic animals kept as pets are unlikely to be able to survive in the wild in Britain and non-native species could pose a threat to Welsh native wildlife.
It is illegal to release, or to allow to escape, any species that are not normally native to the UK.