Landlord captures snake in pub cellar

A “QUICK-thinking” landlord has rescued a snake found in the cellar of his pub.

The licensee of the Montague Bar, in Edinburgh, thought the reptile was a joke plastic snake when he first spotted it.

However, having realised that it was alive he captured it in a box and called in the Scottish SPCA.

The cornsnake, now named Monty, is being cared for at the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians animal rescue and rehoming centre at Balerno.

It is thought the snake may have escaped from his home, though it is also possible that the reptile may have been abandoned.

Animal rescue officer Steph Grant said: “Monty was extremely cold and is thin, so could have been straying for a while.

“Snakes need heat and can’t survive for long in the cold, and it’s very lucky Monty was contained by the quick-thinking landlord so we could help.

“Cornsnakes are popular pets so it’s likely someone is missing Monty, although we can’t rule out abandonment.”