Stray Snake Found In Newport, Pembrokeshire

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information to try and track down the owner of a snake that was found in a garden in Newport, Pembrokeshire. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The young radiated rat snake was found at Lower St Mary Street yesterday (22 June). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA inspector Holly Brown said: “We don’t know where this snake has come from, but he could well have escaped from an owner nearby. The snake is in good body condition and appears to be healthy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We’re appealing for information to try and find out who he belongs to.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The snake has been transferred in the the care of an exotics specialist. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who may have information can contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. Calls are treated in confidence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Snakes are ectothermic, which means that they cannot produce their own body heat. Radiated rat snakes come from Southeast Asia and can grow to around two metres, so this one is probably still quite young. As with all reptiles, they require a temperature controlled environment. This species needs to be kept with a temperature range of about 25 to 30 degrees C. If they escape it can be disastrous for them as their body processes cannot function normally outside of the correct temperature range. It is important to make sure all pet snakes are securely housed as they are adept escape artists. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​