SWNSLondoners beware! A NOPE-worthy six-foot long snake has been found slithering through a park in the UK capital, just yards away from a children’s play area.
In fact, the giant reptile is so massive, experts say it’s capable of eating a baby or a cat, which is a pretty terrifying prospect.
The huge serpent was found wandering through Danson Park on Friday afternoon, and has now been taken to the RSPCA reptile centre for specialist care.
Fortunately for nearby kids, but not so pleasant for the animal itself, the cold weather meant the boa constrictor was too slow and lethargic to actually do any damage to passers-by.
SWNSIt’s believed the snake was either abandoned by its owner in the park, or it escaped from its home, so we don’t have to worry about an invasion of giant serpents in the UK just yet!
RSPCA inspector Anthony Pulfer said:
It was lucky this poor boa constrictor was found because it is far too cold for him to be outside. When I picked him up he was very cold and lethargic. At the moment we are just trying to find out where he came from and are asking for anyone who has any information about him to contact us. There aren’t many houses in the area so we are concerned that he may have been dumped. If this is the case this is irresponsible as these can be dangerous animals.
The RSPCA are concerned they are seeing increasing numbers of dangerous exotic creatures being dumped by owners who are neglecting them or unable to take care of them.
SWNSInspector Pulfer added:
Other than being very cold, luckily this boa appeared to be in good health – but had he been left any longer he would’ve certainly died. Sadly we are finding more and more reptiles are coming in to our care and the RSPCA is experiencing widespread neglect of exotic animals.
For many people an exotic animal represents too much of a commitment which is manifested in the growing number of exotic animals being abandoned and handed to shelters around the country. The main thing we want to stress to people who are thinking about bringing an exotic pet into their family is to research the needs of the animal thoroughly and make sure that you can provide everything that animal needs for its entire life.
Owners have a duty of care under the Animal welfare Act 2006 to provide for an animal’s needs. Dumping any non-native animal not only fails to meet those needs but is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
