8ft boa constrictor found in owner's Scots home - weeks after escaping (2024)

AN 8ft snake has been found in its owners home - three weeks after causing panic by escaping.

The boa constrictor slithered from the window of owner Kayla Strachan’s house in Newarthill, Lanarkshire at the end of last month.

Neighbours told how they struggled to sleep since the huge grey and brown reptile vanished from its vivarium on Lomond Walk.

But Kayla has now updated to say that her pet has been found and returned home, posting to Facebook: "As we thought she turned up in the house again so sorry to all the people who I put in a panic. So happy she is has been found."

At the time, she posted on Facebook: “One of our boas have managed to get out. We’ve hunted high and low. Please if anyone sees her get in touch with me.

“I know I’m putting the fear of God in half of Newarthill with this post. I’m so sorry please share!”

Ex-security guard John McKeen, 80, said: “My sister-in-law told me to shut the bathroom door as they can come up the toilet.

“I didn’t sleep after. I’d run half a mile if I saw it. I hate them and I don’t think it should be kept in a house — they belong in a jungle.”

My sister-in-law told me to shut the bathroom door as they can come up the toilet

Neighbour John Cummings, 79, said: “My daughter called to tell me and told me to keep the windows shut, but I’ve not looked in case I find it.

“I can’t believe anyone would have a boa constrictor.”

The snakes are deadly as they ambush prey by wrapping around and squeezing the air out of them.

David Kenmuir, 70, told how he helped search for the snake around the town on Tuesday night.

He said: “We went looking under parked cars and people were in the park with torches looking too.

A TIGHT SQUEEZE

“I don’t like snakes at all so I hope it gets caught as there are a lot of kids round here.

"My granddaughter is only three and a man on this street has a pigeon loft. It would make some mess in there.”

Joseph McStay, 74, told how his family is “terrified” it could swallow his Jack Russell Coco whole.

Cops revealed they were aware but had no involvement.

The Scottish SPCA insisted the recent heatwave could have made the animal more mobile than usual.

BOA BIO

Boa Constrictors can grow up to 13ft and 60 pounds and live for an average of 20 to 30 years in the wild.

They are non-venomous but their jaws are lined with small, hooked teeth for grabbing and holding prey

They have very distinctive markings and colours vary depending on the habitat they want to blend into.

Traumatised Dumbarton mum screamed in terror after discovering 3ft snake slithering in her kitchen sink

We told how a python was on the loose in Fife after escaping as the owner launched a desperate appeal to find her.

The massive snake was able to slither out of her tank as she fled from her home on Massereene Road, Kirkcaldy.

While a traumatised mum told how she screamed in terror after spotting a 3ft snake slithering about next to her kitchen sink.

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent, Mike Flynn, said: “Snakes are somewhat notorious for being escape artists and can find tiny spaces in their enclosure to squeeze through.

“Although the warm weather can make Scotland’s native snake, the adder, more active it doesn’t have much effect on pet snakes as they should be kept in a temperature controlled vivarium all year round.

“However, whereas in normal weather escaped snakes will often be found nearby, the recent hot weather could cause them to travel further afield as they would be more mobile.

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“Encountering an exotic snake is highly unusual. If anyone does come across a non-native snake then they should not approach it and contact our animal helpline immediately on 03000 999 999."

anna.savva@the-sun.co.uk

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