Huge snake found in engine during MOT

A British mechanic got the shock of his life during a routine inspection - he lifted the bonnet of a customer's car and found a five-foot long boa constrictor nestling underneath.

The five-inch thick snake was curled up in a space in the engine bay of a blue MINI Cooper. The car was about to undergo an MOT test at Carringtons of Oxford.

Mechanic Wayne Hunt, said: "We immediately called the RSPCA to collect the snake, since it didn't belong to the customer and we had no idea who owned it.

"We also wanted to make sure we didn't harm the reptile in removing it, as we're more used to working on brakes than snakes!"

According to the RSPCA the snake looked thinner than a normal sized boa constrictor, which suggests that it had been nestled under the bonnet for a while.

It's thought to be the first incident of its kind in the UK, and no-one knows where the snake came from.

Mark Nichol

Boa Constrictor: Not an Enthusiastic Camping Buddy

ADDISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A man has discovered that a boa constrictoris not a willing camping companion after his 5-foot-long pet escapedas they vacationed in southeast Michigan.
The man alerted officials that the snake slithered out of his pop-up camper June 9 at Addison Oaks County Park.

Oakland County Parks and Recreation executive officer Dan Stenciltells the Oakland Press of Pontiac that the snake is young and doesn't pose a threat to humans - "just small animals and so on."

Stencil says the man has been cited for violating park rules.

Stencil says the snake might have slithered into a crevice in the camper, but that herpetologists are scouring the 1,140-acre park 30miles north of Detroit in hopes of finding it before crowds descend for a fireworks display July 1.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/

Snake missing for a month found on Boston subway

Associated Press
Posted: 02/04/2011 09:01:49 AM PST
Updated: 02/04/2011 09:01:50 AM PST

BOSTON -- Transit officials say a 3-foot-long boa constrictor that slithered away from its owner on a Boston subway car a month ago was found on an adjoining car Thursday.

A commuter spotted Penelope the snake and alerted a train attendant at a Red Line station. Transit authority officials took the train out of service to search it. Finally at 8:30 p.m., train attendant Sharon Lynch -- a snake owner herself -- caught the snake.

Penelope's owner, 30-year-old Melissa Moorhouse of Allston, had traveled around with the snake around her neck and lost it between two stations Jan. 6. She's thrilled to have her pet back, and says she'll pay more attention the next time she takes Penelope out in public.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/weird-news/ci_17293859?nclick_check=1

Guinea pig saved from escaped snake

27 August 2010

An escaped snake has been caught just moments before it was about to eat a pet guinea pig.

Diego the boa constrictor escaped from his enclosure at his owner Aaron Waymont's house almost a month ago sparking a neighbourhood-wide search in Wickford, Essex, England.

After Diego made his escape police warned local residents to watch out for the killer reptile - which weighs around 63lbs and is capable of eating a small pet or even a baby.

Aaron was relieved to find the serpent in his own garden just as Diego was about to devour one of his beloved guinea pigs and has now promised to keep him under lock and key.

Aaron said: "I knew he'd still be around here. Everyone can relax now. I've ordered a bigger vivarium with reinforced glass and two locks on it. There's no way he's going anywhere again."

http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/194340-guinea-pig-saved-from-escaped-snake/

Mystery boa constrictor left on woman's doorstep

Tom Phillips - 27th August, 2010

A woman was left puzzled after a mystery caller knocked on her door in the early hours of the morning and left behind a four-foot long snake on her doorstep.

The homeowner said that a young woman knocked on her door in Cricklewood, north London, in the early hours of Thursday morning. When she answered the door, the woman asked for 'Andrew' before walking off, leaving a pillow case on the doorstep.

Confused, the homeowner spotted that the pillow case appeared to be moving. Looking inside, she discovered that it contained a four-foot-long South American boa.

At that point, she quite sensibly decided to call the police.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said that the snake, which officers have nicknamed Kojak, is 'friendly', is in good condition, and appeared to have been handled before.

Officers kept the snake in an office at Colindale police station for several hours before it was taken to London Zoo.

The spokeswoman added: 'If you are the owner of the boa and wish to be re-united with your pet, or have information about where he has come from please call police on 0300 123 1212.

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/839294-mystery-boa-constrictor-left-on-womans-doorstep

Hunt on for 6ft boa constrictor

A 6ft boa constrictor is on the loose after slithering out of a bathroom window.

The pet snake, which is "as thick as a baseball bat", but not fully grown, escaped from a property in Barnfield, Wickford, Essex, on Friday.

Police described the animal, named Diego, as "potentially dangerous" but stressed it would only feed on small animals.

The force said its wildlife liaison officer is speaking with specialists and the RSPCA.

People were warned not to approach the snake but to alert police.

Specialist search officers combed the immediate area after being alerted and told people living nearby to be on their guard.

A spokesman said: "Essex Police cannot rule out a risk to the public, however our understanding is that this snake will only feed on small animals. Police have consulted with the chair of the Essex Reptiles and Amphibians Club who agrees that is it unlikely to be a threat to the public."

Diego's owner and reptile specialist Aaron Waymont, 22, said: "I'm expecting to see him appear any day soon because he'll be hungry.

"I've kept a lot of animals in my time, but I've never had one go missing before. He broke his glass and found his way out.

"I think he is going to be up in trees as they provide security. I'm very worried for Diego and for the public as well. I'm going out three times a day to look for him."

http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=154293424&ocid=today

Search for 6ft boa on the loose in Wickford, Essex

A 6ft (1.8m) long pet boa constrictor is on the loose after escaping through a bathroom window in Essex.

Police started the for the snake, called Diego, on Friday after its owner realised it was missing from his home in Barnfield, Wickford.

Diego slithered out of the bathroom window. Officers said the snake was not fully grown but members of the public were warned not approach it.

An Essex Police spokesperson said it could be a danger to small animals.

Anyone who spots the snake has been asked to call 999.

Neighbours have been sent leaflets warning that it could be in their gardens and urged to keep children and pets indoors.

Essex Police's wildlife liaison officer is speaking with specialists and the RSPCA.

It is possible the breeding season could have encouraged the boa constrictor to go out hunting and it may have travelled out of town.

Boa constrictors are commonly found in tropical forests in South America and are from the family of constricting snakes, which kill their prey through asphyxiation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-10826439