Mexican black kingsnake found in Glenrothes flats

THE Scottish SPCA today launched an appeal to trace the owner of a stray snake found slithering along a hallway in a block of flats in Glenrothes.

Treacle, the Mexican black kingsnake. Picture: SSPCA

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was called in to rescue the two-foot-long Mexican black kingsnake on Monday afternoon after a resident at Canmore Road spotted the non-venomous serpent on the landing of her flat.

Animal Rescue Officer Kieran Smart arrived and removed the snake from the property. It is now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Balerno, where it has been named Treacle.

Ms Smart said: “The lady who found Treacle was rather brave and managed to contain him in a pillowcase until I arrived. Although Treacle was flicking his tail and letting us know he wasn’t best

pleased that we’d put an end to his adventure, he soon settled down after a short ride to our centre in the back of my van. He actually seems to be a fairly docile chap who is in good overall health.”

She continued: “Treacle may have found his way into this lady’s flat by travelling along pipework within the wall cavity so we think it’s possible his owner lives within the building. However, it’s a very large building with lots of flats inside so we’re asking this person to contact us to reclaim their lost pet. If no-one claims Treacle we’ll find him a loving new home.”

The Mexican black kingsnake is a constrictor and is a popular choice as a pet snake. In the wild, most kingsnakes reach an average length of three to four feet but can exceed five feet in captivity.