Jake Massey
A family in the UK were given quite the fright when an 18ft python took the liberty of slithering into their home.
Neighbours watched on as the six stone serpent made its way along the roof before sliding through an upstairs window.
Jenny Warwick, who lives on the street in Chandler's Ford, near Southampton, said she saw the worried residents inside the house poke out the albino Burmese python, which then fell 20ft and crashed on to the bonnet of a Hyundai i10 hatchback below with an 'almighty thud'.
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Fortunately for the snake - in a further bizarre twist in this tale - another neighbour then looked after the snake in her conservatory until it woke up.
Jenny said she first spotted the python at around 5.30am.
"I saw something on the roof and thought it must be a plastic tube, but then its head started moving," the 62-year-old recalled.
"I told my husband, Steven, but he said 'don't be silly.' I have a dog called Rodney, and he was really barking and going mad.
"I asked a neighbour outside if they could see something on the roof because I didn't have my glasses and I wasn't sure if I was seeing things.
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"We realised that it was definitely a snake and it was moving all over the roof trying to find a way to get down.
"My husband hates snakes, and he couldn't get to work fast enough. It's not what you want to see first thing in the morning, I think it's very irresponsible to let it loose."
After the snake fell on the hatchback, residents knocked on at the house of a neighbour who used to keep snakes, thinking it might be hers.
The woman - who did not wish to be named - said: "I was woken by people banging on my door talking about a snake in the road. It wasn't mine, but I said they could leave it in my conservatory until it woke up.
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"It's a very dangerous snake and it's massive. I felt sick when my friend told me it was trying to get into someone's house. There could have been a baby in there or anything.
"I used to keep snakes and I know that when they're hungry they can turn nasty. I was bitten by my python a number of times.
"It was a big 18ft snake and it must have been six stone at least."
The woman then called the man who owns the snake, who turned up and took it back to his house a short distance away.
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RSPCA scientific officer, Evie Button said: "Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
"Last year, we took over 1,200 reports about snakes, with the highest number of calls coming during the summer months.
"Snakes become more active during hot weather. So we would urge all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended.
"The RSPCA urges prospective owners of reptiles such as snakes to thoroughly research the needs of the particular species and what is required in the care of the animal, using expert sources.
"People should only consider keeping a snake if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs."