Six-foot boa constrictor found at Newport allotment

A six-foot boa constrictor has been found in an allotment in south Wales.

Allotment holders found the unexpected visitor, a red-tailed boa, and alerted the police.

The snake was said to be "easily caught" and was taken to a local station before being taken into the care of the RSPCA.

The boa has now been transferred to a specialist facility in the West Midlands for ongoing care. 

RSPCA Cymru says the incident is another reminder as to how snakes can be "remarkable escape artists", and the importance of appropriate, secure accommodation.

It comes after an appeal for a similar six-foot boa constrictor escaped from its tank in Weston-super-Mare.

Boas are not venomous snakes. They kill their prey by constriction, or squeezing it to death.

Stephanie Davidson, RSPCA animal collection officer, said: "This would have been a pretty unbelievable find at an allotment - with a six-foot, red-tailed boa constrictor coming for a visit. 

"However, it is another reminder of what remarkable escape artists these exotic animals can be.  

"We regularly respond to escaped snakes, and continue to highlight the importance of safe, secure and appropriate accommodation for these animals, who have such complex needs.

"Snakes can also be microchipped - and we'd urge anyone owning one to explore whether this is a possibility, to ensure they can be returned home more easily should they stray.

Anyone with information about the snake - or who may know the owner - has been urged to contact the RSPCA's inspectorate appeal line.