A pet snake that had been missing for a year came home – and in the most amazing way.
The UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) received a call earlier this month about a corn snake that had been spotted on the roof of a garage in a tenant’s backyard in Spennymoor, England, the BBC reports.
RSPCA inspector John Lawson told the outlet that the three-foot-long snake was picked up by a crow but then dropped when the bird “realised it had bitten off more than it could chew”.
As it turned out, the female reptile named Agnus was the tenant’s neighbor’s missing pet. Agnus was not seen for a year after he managed to escape from his home.
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“After I rescued the snake, a resident who lives nearby came and was absolutely delighted because it was her missing pet from a year ago called Agnus,” Lawson told the BBC.
He added that he was “amazed” because the animal managed to survive not only the crow attack, but also the freezing temperatures outside during the winter.
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Biological Conservation Institute, snakes are ecotherms, meaning they cannot generate their own body heat, so they rely on the environment to maintain their body temperature.
Snake image stock.
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After the ordeal, Agnus was examined by a veterinarian and treated for a respiratory infection from being outside in the cold for so long.
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“The vet believes Agnus went into brumation mode, similar to hibernation, and her body shut down to survive,” Lawson told the BBC. “It’s really amazing that she survived this long without heat – and also survived after a crow decided to try and fly away with her.”
According to the outlet, the RSPCA advises snake owners to keep their reptiles in a locked, secure enclosure when unattended, as snakes are “excellent escape artists”.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education