Reptiles & Amphibians Snakes Escaped pet snakes ARC has noticed a significant increase in phone calls and reports of non-native snakes in gardens and public spaces in recent years. Unfortunately, some irresponsible reporting in the media has caused unnecessary panic and alarm. In truth, there is little to no risk should you happen to encounter one. Is the snake I've found an escaped pet? There are numerous kinds of pet snake but corn snakes, king snakes, pythons and boas are the most commonly kept. Pet snakes vary widely in size, colouration and behaviour. To help with identification we have created a gallery in order to help you identify your visitor (see below), if it doesn’t look like one of our native species. You could also post a photo online, using sites such as iSpot www.ispotnature.org. If you live in a heavily built-up area, it’s more likely you’ve seen a pet snake rather than a British snake. Most are harmless, but you should check before handling. Normally they haven’t moved far from their owner, although very occasionally pet snakes are deliberately released at remote locations. We always recommend that you check with neighbours as there is quite often a happy reunion in the end. What to do? The best course of action is for the snake to be captured and taken into captivity with a responsible keeper. Leaving the snake in a garden, or in the wild generally, can cause problems. Firstly, the snake itself will be at risk (many pet snakes won’t thrive in Britain). Secondly, the snake could pose a risk to our native wildlife. Thirdly, it may prompt concern from others who encounter it. ARC focuses on helping British snakes and so unfortunately we cannot help you with escaped pet snakes. There may be a welfare issue, so the RSPCA www.rscpa.org.uk / 0300 1234 555 or Scottish SPCA www.scottishspca.org / 03000 999 999 may be able to help once identification is sought. We often receive referrals from the RSPCA in order to help with identification queries. You may also find other local animal welfare charities can help through online searches. Emergency Reptile Rescue & Re-homing The British Herpetological Society have some useful information about emergency reptile rescue and re-homing of unwanted pet. Visit their website to find out more. ... Powered by Cincopa HTML Slideshow for Business solution.Pet snakesBoa flash 24cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.2 originaldate 4/12/2014 6:08:33 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-TZ10Boa flash 24cameramake Panasonicheight 2305orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.2 originaldate 4/12/2014 6:08:56 PMwidth 3029cameramodel DMC-TZ10Boa © Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 2000orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 2/15/2006 7:26:37 PMwidth 3008cameramodel NIKON D70Boaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1126height 717Corn snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1280orientation 1height 960Corn snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 3264orientation 3height 2448Corn snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 355height 366Corn snakeflash 24cameramake Appleheight 2448dir: 328alt: 59lat: 51.398044long: 0.024697camerasoftware 8.1.2originaldate 9/10/2015 3:54:56 PMwidth 3264cameramodel iPhone 6Corn snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 723orientation 1height 690Corn snakeflash 24cameramake Appleheight 2448orientation 6camerasoftware 8.3originaldate 6/25/2015 5:18:55 PMwidth 3264cameramodel iPhone 6Corn snake © Alan Greengrasscameramake SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO.,height 2112orientation 1camerasoftware 1.0700originaldate 9/28/2011 8:06:37 PMwidth 2816cameramodel Samsung L600Corn snake © Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 2454orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 6/30/2011 10:58:09 PMwidth 3468cameramodel NIKON D90Corn Snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 504height 480Black kind snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMheight 3264width 2448orientation 1camerasoftware Microsoft Windows PhKing snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 960height 720King snake © Fred Homesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 2000orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 2/15/2006 7:55:07 PMwidth 3008cameramodel NIKON D70King snakeoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 960height 720Milk snake © Gary Powellflash 24cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.2 originaldate 6/16/2014 7:28:39 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-TZ10Python © Fred Holmesoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1277height 792 Manage Cookie Preferences