Rescued North Lincolnshire python snakes ‘comfy’ in care

Animal experts who rescued four exotic snakes have said the reptiles are now “nice and comfy” in their heated enclosures.

The reticulated pythons, which are non-venomous and can grow up to 18ft-long, were captured over the weekend after they were abandoned in the Twigmoor and Cleatham areas of North Lincolnshire.

Rob Stokes, who runs RSG Reptiles, near Alford, believed a fifth python could still on the loose and warned those in the area not to try catch it themselves.

“We’re just asking people in the area to be vigilant, put dogs on leads and call the police straight away if they spot it,” he said.

Mr Stokes, who runs the rescue organisation with his wife Susan Stokes and their son George, said they were called by Humberside Police to search for the snakes over the weekend.

Three were found in Manton with the largest being 18ft long and a wild type. Another was captured in Twigmoor.

The reptiles were a mixture of two albinos and possibly a pied golden child morph, police had said.

All four snakes had parasitic mites on arrival and were bathed by the rescue before they were put into heated enclosures.

“We’re quietly confident that there isn’t a fifth one out there, but we can’t be 100% sure,” Mr Stokes said.

He said the snakes were not likely to bite people unless they felt threatened.

“There is a misconception with snakes that they are aggressive, they’re not, they’re defensive,” he added.

Humberside Police has advised people to call the force immediately if they came across the snake, and urged for dogs to be kept on a lead in the areas where the snakes were found.

Officers said a rural task force was investigating offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.