Huge Mexican snake discovered in north-west London garden

 

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A shocked woman found a huge snake lurking in a garden in north-west London.

The Mexican black kingsnake, native in the Americas, had to be rescued by RSPCA officers after it was discovered by the woman at a property in Neasden on Monday last week.

The huge reptile was lured into a box by collection officer Jill Sanders and is now being treated in a specialist centre.

The RSPCA believes the kingsnake escaped from a nearby vivarium.

Ms Sanders said: “The poor thing looked like it had been attacked, perhaps by a cat or a fox, but didn’t appear seriously injured.

“However, I took it to our animal hospital in Putney for a vet check before it was moved to our reptile centre in Brighton.

“I suspect the snake has escaped from a vivarium nearby so I hope we may be able to find the owners.”

A Mexican black kingsnake can usually be found in regions of the Sonora Desert, Northwestern Sinaloa, Mexico, and Arizona.

They are considered popular pets as they are easy to care for, feeding off small rodents, lizards, birds, eggs, and even other snakes.

The RSPCA has appealed for its owners to come forward as the snake will have to be rehomed if officers cannot trace them.

Anyone with information on its owner should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

Evening Standard