A Scottish holidaymaker returning from Australia was shocked to find a live snake curled up inside her slip-on shoe after a 9,300-mile journey. Moira Boxall discovered the small python in her luggage upon arriving home in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, following a trip to Queensland.
The snake, later identified as a non-venomous spotted python, had even shed its skin during the voyage. Initially, Boxall thought it was a toy prank, but soon realised it was real and placed the shoe in the garden under a box before contacting her son-in-law, Paul Airlie.
Airlie told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he had deliberately downplayed the prevalence of snakes in Queensland to avoid alarming Boxall during her visit. He said she was now less keen to return, but suspected she would eventually reconsider.
The Scottish SPCA responded to the call. Animal rescue officer Taylor Johnstone safely removed the snake, which is now in quarantine at the charity's centre in Edinburgh. The spotted python is a common pet species and poses no venomous threat.
