Police officers were sent on a wild snake chase after being called to a house yesterday (Tuesday).
Following a fingertip search they pulled out something you wouldn’t normally expect to find filling a hole behind a garden pond – a five-foot-long adult royal python.
The nonvenomous snake, nicknamed ‘Monty’ by police and thought to have escaped from a nearby vivarium, was taken from the garden in Boston to Boston Aquatics & Pets on the Cowbridge Business Park, where a member of staff took it under his wing.
‘Monty’ the escape artist royal python with his rescuer. Image: Lincolnshire Police
“The police got in touch with us, and it was just lucky that some of us keep reptiles,” said a worker at the shop who did not wish to be named.
“It’s definitely the first time for us that we’ve had anything like this happen.
“Someone who says they’re the owner has come forward and we’ll find out on Thursday if it turns out to be right person.”
Royal pythons, also called ball pythons due them curling up when frightened, are a type of constrictor native to Sub Saharan West and Central Africa, where they slither among grasslands, forests and shrub hunting for birds and small mammals.
They live in burrows dug out by other animals in the wild, which may explain why Monty decided to head underground.
“The team answers calls for all sorts of little and large issues,” said a statement from the force. “If we are on and available we will try to attend.
“People mention a snake and all sorts of thoughts go through your mind. Is it a corn snake? A local adder, a non-flappable grass snake or even a more troublesome king cobra.
“It doesn’t help when half the snake is down a hole and slithering behind a garden pond.
“One of the older and far braver team members took hold and with a little cold water down it’s ‘neck’, out it popped.
“A beautiful and very healthy royal python.”