Milk snake and two sugars: Woman finds reptile in cutlery drawer while making cup of tea

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 25/09/2012 11:49

An unsuspecting housewife got the fright of her life when she opened her cutlery drawer - to find a snake curled up inside, it was revealed today.

Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA were called in to rescue the metre long milk snake after the “terrified” Aberdeen woman called the emergency services.

Milk snakes, which are not harmful to humans, are found in the wild in North, Central and South America.

But it is believed the snake which sought refuge in the cutlery drawer may have escaped from a neighbouring property.

A spokeswoman for the SSPCA explained: “The resident of Coningham Terrace in Aberdeen discovered the creature in her kitchen as she was making a cup of tea and called the police, who then alerted Scotland’s animal welfare charity.

“Now named Spooner, the red, black and brown striped milk snake is being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Drumoak.”

Lynne Craib, an animal rescue officer with the SSPCA, said: “The poor woman got a real fright when she reached into the drawer to grab a teaspoon and found Spooner the snake instead.

“Spooner is in good condition so we think he has been someone’s pet until recently.”

She explained: “Snakes need heat to survive and it was quite warm in the lady’s kitchen so that may be why Spooner went inside the drawer. We’ve rescued snakes from all sorts of unusual places over the last few months, including behind a washing machine and around a lamppost, but this is the first one found in a cutlery drawer.

“Snakes are really good escape artists so there’s every chance Spooner has an owner nearby who is missing him.”

Anyone who recognises Spooner is being asked to call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.