Snake rescued from road near Rushton dies at Corby rescue centre

A snake that was found on a country road between Pipewell and Rushton has died overnight at a rescue centre.

The boa constrictor was found on the country road yesterday (Sunday, September 6) at around 3.30pm.

Joanna Aldwinckle, who runs Midlands Large Snake Rescue and Rehoming in Great Oakley with her husband Jez Aldwinckle and friends Richard and Vanessa Munden, said they were called yesterday by Northlands Veterinary Hospital in Kettering to help care for the snake.

Joanna said: "A lovely, lovely chap had come across another car that had pulled over."

The man stopped and saw there was a snake in a bad way in the road. He managed to rescue the snake and took it to Northlands Vets in Kettering.

Joanna said: "The vets got in contact with us and asked if we could help. We work specifically with big snakes, and this one is classed as a large snake."

The stricken animal was a boa constrictor, a species of snake that Joanna said is commonly kept as a pet.

She said: "They are a very docile, lovely, lovely species to keep."

Midlands Large Snake Rescue arranged to pick up the boa from Northlands and when they assessed him, they realised he was not in a good way.

Joanna said: "He was very underweight and had a suspected respiratory infection.

"He was about five foot long, so not a massive chap, but he should have been around 5kg to 6kg but he was 2.4kg."

Midlands Large Snake Rescue made sure the snake was in a safe enclosure and hoped with the right treatment it would pull through, but it died overnight.

Because of the snake's condition, they suspect he could have been abandoned.

Joanna said: "They are hardy animals but they cannot survive exposure in the UK."

Just last week, the centre rescued another boa constrictor from Warwickshire which also sadly died and Joanna said that was largely down to exposure too.

Despite these two rescues, Joanna said escaped or abandoned snakes are rare and people should not be concerned.

She said: "What we always say and suggest is to enclose or secure the snake, like if it is in your shed, close the shed door. Don't put hands on because the animal could be very stressed. Call a rescue service or the RSPCA or the police.

"Snakes are not aggressive but if they feel threatened they will defend themselves. They are not dangerous."

Joanna also said while snakes make good pets, anyone thinking of getting a snake should do a lot of research and try and get experience with the species before they purchase.

She said: "They are a privilege to own and work with.

"Anyone struggling should get help. They can contact us or another reputable rescue centre, or the RSPCA."

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