RSPCA Cymru has launched an appeal for information after a female orange and red coloured corn snake was found abandoned next to a public bin outside a primary school in Cwmbran.
The snake was discovered on Friday, October 16, at 7.30am. It had been placed in a clear box, which was then put into a B&M Bargains carrier bag and dumped next to a bin on Michael Thacker Court, alongside Blenheim Road Primary School. The bag also contained wood shavings and a log, according to the RSPCA.
Snake found cold but well
The charity’s animal rescue officer Kirsty Morgan said: “We are very grateful to the person who found this snake and alerted us to this incident.”
“The female corn snake has been taken to an exotics vet where she was found to be well but cold and is now being temporarily boarded. Once enquiries are concluded a long-term home will be found for her. She has been named Pumpkin.”
Morgan added: “It does appear that she has been left next to a bin like a piece of rubbish, which is really heartbreaking.”
Exotic pets often abandoned
The RSPCA frequently deals with abandoned snakes. Morgan explained: “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 if they survived.”
“The needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet because they are just the same as they would be in the wild and are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a domestic environment.”
“Snakes that are not native to this country need a heated environment with a specific temperature gradient for the species to regulate their body temperature. If a reptile becomes too cold they may be unable to feed or move normally and their immune system will not work properly to fight disease, meaning the animal can become very ill so it was lucky this snake was found.”
Illegal to release non-native species
The charity is reminding people that it is illegal to release, or to allow to escape, any species that are not normally native to the UK.
Anyone with information about ‘Pumpkin’ is asked to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01926892.
