Stray snakes turn up in snake-free Ireland

DUBLIN, Ireland, July 22 (UPI) -- Snakes are increasingly popular pets in Ireland, and escaped snakes are showing up in the notoriously snake-free country.

The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is seeking new homes for 10 snakes whose previous owners have not stepped forward, the Irish Times reports. All the animals are non-venomous and range in size from 5 inches long to more than 6 feet.

A 6-foot bull snake turned up in a kitchen cupboard in Tallaght, a suburb southwest of Dublin.

Orla Aungier, the society's education officer, advised anyone who finds a snake to try to remain calm and not frighten the animal, because frightened snakes are likely to slither into hiding. She said finders should, if they can, put an overturned pot or basin over the snake and weight it before calling for help.

Owning non-venomous snakes is legal in Ireland and the animals can be purchased at pet stores. But the owners of lost snakes are sometimes reluctant to let their neighbors know their pets have gone astray.

"Owners are often afraid to tell their neighbors they've lost their snakes and so they are often not claimed," Aungier said. "We are looking for new homes for them, or indeed if anyone is missing a snake please call us, we may have it."