He said the four-year-old snake’s whereabouts since her disappearance were unclear, with a trail found after she went missing suggesting she left the house and turned left.
But the neighbouring garden where his pet was found was to the right of his home, he continued.
Ball pythons should be kept in enclosures with hot and cool zones, according to the RSPCA, external, which says ideal temperatures are between 24-32C (75-90F).
Edwards, who has kept snakes since he was 13, said Xanthe’s enclosure was normally heated to a maximum of about 32C, far warmer than it has been outside in recent weeks.
“With the weather conditions, I did not think she would survive,” he admitted.
The snake keeper said a vet had since diagnosed Xanthe with septicaemia – a life-threatening bacterial infection of the blood – and prescribed her painkillers and antibiotics.
“She beat all the odds outside so I’m really hoping she can beat the odds with this as well,” he added.
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