Esss-cape artist! Pet snake rescued for second time
Sylvia the corn snake is reunited with her owner
A pet snake rescued by the RSPCA for a second time has been reunited with her owner in Portsmouth.
Sylvia the corn snake went on the run for ten months before being found and returned to her home in Southsea.
When a member of the public spotted a snake outside a house in Goodwood Road they called the RSPCA for help.
Animal rescue officer Katie Wood said: "This is actually one of the most extraordinary rescues I have dealt with.
"The corn snake was found outside a house, the weather was cold, and the little snake was very lethargic and had some injuries to her belly.
"I stuck up a ‘snake found’ poster near where she had been found and then took the snake to exotic pet specialists Downlands Vets in Hilsea for her injuries to be treated, before dropping her off at our Stubbington Ark animal centre in Fareham.
"To our surprise and delight, the owner saw my poster and contacted us straight away.
"And that’s when this story becomes quite extraordinary. It turns out this isn’t the first time escape-artist Sylvia the snake has gone on the run, and amazingly, the RSPCA has rescued her both times."
Sylvia’s owner Naomi Mulligan-Ward explained: "About five years ago, Sylvia disappeared from her vivarium around November time.
"We had given up all hope, but four months later, I spotted an RSPCA poster reporting that a corn snake had been found in our road.
"It turned out to be Sylvia. I was so happy and relieved and immediately brought her home where she has been living ever since.
"Then last year in March 2020, just after lockdown started, Sylvia disappeared again. As the months went by, I was sure I would never see her again.
“I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw the RSPCA’s poster up on a lamppost last week saying they had found a loose corn snake.
"I once again called the animal charity and sure enough, it was Sylvia.
"She is now back home again and I have put an extra strong catch on her vivarium.
"I would like to thank the eagle-eyed member of the public who spotted Sylvia, and the RSPCA who put up the poster then treated her and cared for her until I could bring her home."
Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets.
It is possible to microchip snakes and the RSPCA recommends that owners ask their exotics vet to do this, so that snakes can be easily reunited if lost and found.
Reptiles, particularly snakes, will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to escape.
The RSPCA advises anyone who finds a snake they believe is non-native to keep a safe distance, monitor the snake and to contact the charity for advice by calling 0300 1234 999.