An escaped royal python could be on the loose in a Mersey town.
The snake, called Carley and aged six or seven years old, was reported missing in the Heath Road and Union Street area of Runcorn by her owner last Tuesday. A week on and no updates have been issued over whether the pet has been sighted.
Carley’s owner described her as “harmless” and “soft as a brush”. They said a search of the house has proven fruitless, but a “window was left open”, suggesting the python might have slithered outside.
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The area is close to the busy Heath Road and two parks - one with a pond on the opposite side of the street and another at Rock Park. According to the RSPCA, royal pythons can live for more than 20 years in captivity and grow up to about 150cm, which is just under 5ft.
They can become “quite docile” with careful handling but might bite “under stress or if they smell food”. Royal pythons aren’t venomous.
Cheshire Police confirmed the force received a report of a missing snake in Runcorn last Tuesday. The RSPCA said it hasn’t received a report, but issued advice on what to do for anyone who finds Carley or another snake.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said: “If anyone finds a snake they believe is non-native the RSPCA’s advice is to keep a safe distance, monitor the snake and call the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999, 8am-8pm, or a local reptile charity for help.
“The RSPCA collects more snakes over the summer months. It is possible that some of these are escapees becoming more active in warmer weather. It’s also possible that this could be due to snakes having more opportunity to escape, such as if owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight.
“It’s good for reptiles to be allowed the opportunity for natural sunlight, however we would urge owners to ensure that their reptile is kept secure when doing so, as reptiles can warm up and become very quick to move on a sunny day."
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: “At around 11.30am on Tuesday, July 26, police were made aware of a python that had escaped from a property on Heath Road, Runcorn. No further reports were received and no police action will be taken.”
The ECHO has tried to contact the snake's owner.
For more information on owning exotic animals visit rspca.org.uk , and register lost pet websites as suggested by the RSPCA at petslocated.com
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