Woman Discovers Another Snake on Her Property

A woman in St Helens, Merseyside, said she was left “baffled” after discovering a second snake in her garden within 10 days.

Charley Harrison described the experience as a “nightmare” after spotting an Amel corn snake on 12 January, which turned out to be a missing pet named Slytherin that was safely returned to its owners.

Her surprise returned on Wednesday when she found another snake in her garden—this time deceased. “I’ve never seen a snake in 21 years,” she said. “And now I’ve seen two in just over a week.”

Animal experts say Charley’s discovery is part of a worrying trend. Jaysco Sanctuary, which cares for reptiles, reported that four snakes have been found in the area recently, raising fears that some may have been abandoned. Sanctuary head Jay Scott stressed that releasing snakes in cold weather can be fatal.

“These animals need specific temperatures to survive,” Scott said. “Leaving them outside in winter is essentially a death sentence. Owners don’t need to abandon them—they can reach out to sanctuaries like ours for help.”

The latest snake found by Charley was an Amel corn snake like the first but significantly larger. Of two snakes discovered last month, one was dead while the other was taken in by the sanctuary.

Reflecting on her second encounter, Charley said: “It’s weird. I was terrified the first time, but this time I felt sad because it had died. It’s left me uneasy—I’m praying I don’t find any more.”

The RSPCA has urged anyone considering a pet snake or other reptiles to research their care requirements thoroughly. A spokeswoman explained that improper care can lead to serious illness or death in reptiles, and some are abandoned when owners underestimate the commitment involved.

“Snakes can suffer from dehydration, injuries, parasites, and severe disease if not cared for properly,” she said. “Without the right environment, they can become very ill or die.”