A farmer's pet corn snake near Spennymoor has miraculously survived being left out in the cold for long periods and attacked by crows.
A corn snake slithers across the roof of a garage in Spennymoor. Photo: RSPCA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was called to a report of a corn snake slithering on the roof of a garage in Spennymoor, County Durham, England, and rescued the animal, BBC reported on March 28. RSPCA expert John Lawson said the 90cm-long snake was caught by a crow but then dropped after realizing that its prey was out of reach.
A nearby resident came forward to confirm that it was his pet, Agnus, who had been missing for about a year, and was delighted to see him again. Lawson was surprised that Agnus had survived so long despite being without heat for so long and having been attacked by crows. Snakes cannot generate their own body heat, so they rely on the environment to maintain their body temperature, he said.
Agnus was taken to a vet and treated for a respiratory infection caused by being outside in the cold, before being reunited with his owner. "The vet believes that Agnus went into a state of brumation, similar to hibernation, where his body shuts down to survive," Lawson explained.
According to the RSPCA, snakes are excellent “escape artists” and will take advantage of open cage doors or loose lids to escape. The organisation urges snake keepers to keep their cages secure and locked when necessary.
Corn snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus ) are nonvenomous and are not considered a threat to humans. They are about 61–182 cm long, slender, and typically orange or tan in color with large red spots bordered by black running down their backs. Corn snakes are native to North America. They feed primarily on small rodents and birds. They can live up to 23 years in human care, but their lifespan in the wild is shorter.
Thu Thao (According to BBC )
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