A dog walker came upon a slithery surprise when they stumbled upon a large black snake that had escaped from a home in Chingford.
Police were called to the scene in Colvin Gardens, Chingford about 1pm on Monday amid initial fears it could be a deadly black mamba.
Police along with Epping Forest Rangers managed to trap and bag the reptile and it was later found to be a non-venomous Mexican Black Kingsnake after tests at the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW) in Tonbridge, Kent.
Chris Newman, Director at NCRW, told the Standard: “It was difficult to identify safely from pictures so we had to be careful and send expert handlers to pick it up in case it was something venomous, there was a very small chance it could have been a cobra.”
He added: “It is an escaped pet, Mexican black kingsnakes are commonly kept as pets in the UK. It’s safe and will be cared for, we will try and find its owner if not it will be rehomed.”
Mexican Black Kingsnakes can grow up to 5 feet long and live for 20 years. Mexican Blacks are normally found hunting rodents or other rattlesnakes in the Sonora Desert in North America as well as Mexico and parts of Arizona
A Met spokesman said a dog walker had reported finding a large snake in an alley joining Colvin Gardens at the junction with Endleberry Road.
He added: “Officers have attended, confirmed that a snake of unknown type was present
“Officers from Epping Forest Keepers attended and captured the snake.
“The snake is currently housed with them.”
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which manages Epping Forest as a registered charity said: “The Metropolitan Police Service rescued a snake from Epping Forest this afternoon with assistance from one of our Forest Keepers.
“The snake is being looked after by Epping Forest staff until it can be collected by the National Centre for Reptile Welfare.”
