A resident in Oldham had the 'shock of their life' when they found a two-foot-long snake hiding in their kitchen.

When the resident in Waterhead opened their kitchen cupboard at breakfast time, they discovered a stray little reptile lurking inside.

The householder urgently contacted the RSPCA for help and a rescue team came to remove the corn snake.

Attempts were made to trace the owner of the 'escape artist', as rescue officers suspected she might have come from a home nearby, but could not be found.

The snake has since been adopted by a new owner.

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RSPCA animal rescue officer, David Cottingham, said: "It's not every day you come down for breakfast and find a snake in your kitchen cupboard.

"The householder did the right thing in contacting the RSPCA.

“This lovely corn snake was about two feet long.

"I suspected that she had escaped from a home nearby, so I made enquiries at the neighbouring houses, but sadly couldn’t locate the owner and there was no microchip."

Mr Cottingham then took the snake to the vet for a check-up and said, apart from "being dirty" and having a couple of bruises and scars, she was "perfectly healthy".

The reptile temporarily stayed in a private boarding facility for seven days before finding her new home.

While the resident was shocked to make the discovery, the RSPCA said the summer months are always "busy" for the rescue team responding to calls about snakes.

Last year, the charity received more than 1,000 reports about snakes with the highest number of calls coming in during the summer months.

Mr Cottingham added: "Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.

"Because snakes become more active during hot weather, we urge all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure the enclosure is kept secure - and locked is necessary - when unattended."

Many of the snakes the team is called out to collect are thought to be escaped pets, but the charity also has to deal with a lot of snakes that have been abandoned by their owners.

The RSPCA finds that many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on, which they believe contributes to the hundreds of animals every year who have been abandoned when their owners can no longer meet their needs.

Mr Cottingham continued: “Exotic pets such as snakes often end up in the RSPCA’s care after people realise they're not easy to care for, or the novelty wears off.

"Others are rescued after they have been abandoned or been released on purpose, which then could pose a risk to our native wildlife.

“The needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet because they are just the same as they would be in the wild and are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a domestic environment. 

“We urge prospective owners of reptiles such as snakes to thoroughly research the needs of the particular species and what is required in the care of the animal, using expert sources.

"People should only consider keeping a snake if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs.”

Snakes are completely dependent on their owners for accommodation, heating, lighting and feed, all of which must replicate their wild habitat as closely as possible to keep them healthy.

Without proper care, they can suffer from serious diseases, dehydration, injuries, parasites and even death in severe cases.

Most exotic animals kept as pets are also unlikely to survive in the wild in Britain and non-native species could post a serious threat to our native wildlife.

As such, it is illegal to release, or allow to escape, any species that are not normally native to the UK.

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 or a local reptile charity will also be able to help.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.