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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| 'Powerful' python found on street | 'Powerful' python found on street |
| (1 day later) | |
| Experts are trying to find the owner of a 12ft-long (3.65m) python found on a country road in Monmouthshire. | Experts are trying to find the owner of a 12ft-long (3.65m) python found on a country road in Monmouthshire. |
| The reticulated python was found at Gwehelog near Usk on Saturday and was bundled into a duvet cover before it was handed over for safe keeping. | The reticulated python was found at Gwehelog near Usk on Saturday and was bundled into a duvet cover before it was handed over for safe keeping. |
| This large breed of "notoriously unfriendly" snake is not common in the UK, according to Peter Heathcote, who is currently looking after the snake. | This large breed of "notoriously unfriendly" snake is not common in the UK, according to Peter Heathcote, who is currently looking after the snake. |
| "They are sufficiently powerful to cause you serious harm," he said. | "They are sufficiently powerful to cause you serious harm," he said. |
| Mr Heathcote, who as an approved exotic animal handler has given the reptile a temporary home. | Mr Heathcote, who as an approved exotic animal handler has given the reptile a temporary home. |
| "They were surprisingly lucky - my advice to them is to buy a lottery ticket this week Peter Heathcote | "They were surprisingly lucky - my advice to them is to buy a lottery ticket this week Peter Heathcote |
| The breed, from Asia, can grow up to 30ft (9.14m) long. | |
| It is not poisonous, but strong enough to hurt anyone who approaches, said Mr Heathcote, who owns a vet's practice. | It is not poisonous, but strong enough to hurt anyone who approaches, said Mr Heathcote, who owns a vet's practice. |
| This one has six rows of teeth, 70 in all, weighs between four and five stone, and he estimates is about four or five years old. | This one has six rows of teeth, 70 in all, weighs between four and five stone, and he estimates is about four or five years old. |
| Mr Heathcote said the people who found the python phoned the RSPCA and were told to put it in a duvet cover, which they did. | Mr Heathcote said the people who found the python phoned the RSPCA and were told to put it in a duvet cover, which they did. |
| Confirmed | Confirmed |
| "They were surprisingly lucky - my advice to them is to buy a lottery ticket this week," he joked. | "They were surprisingly lucky - my advice to them is to buy a lottery ticket this week," he joked. |
| The python, which feeds on a diet of large rats and small rabbits in the wild, is now being looked after in his practice at Malpas in Newport. | The python, which feeds on a diet of large rats and small rabbits in the wild, is now being looked after in his practice at Malpas in Newport. |
| "It's fascinating how you can lose a 12ft snake so easily," said Mr Heathcote, adding it was usually only experienced keepers who kept them in special enclosures. | "It's fascinating how you can lose a 12ft snake so easily," said Mr Heathcote, adding it was usually only experienced keepers who kept them in special enclosures. |
| "I have never seen a reticulated python and we will be looking for a home for this one," he said. | "I have never seen a reticulated python and we will be looking for a home for this one," he said. |
| An RSPCA spokeswoman confirmed the python had been found on the road at Gwehelog on Saturday. | An RSPCA spokeswoman confirmed the python had been found on the road at Gwehelog on Saturday. |
| "Our normal advice with snakes is to put them in a pillowcase, but obviously something bigger was needed in this case," she said. | "Our normal advice with snakes is to put them in a pillowcase, but obviously something bigger was needed in this case," she said. |
| She added: "We've made an appeal for the owners to come forward. It's clearly not a naturally occurring animal in south Wales. | She added: "We've made an appeal for the owners to come forward. It's clearly not a naturally occurring animal in south Wales. |
| "It really should have been kept securely. It's a bit of mystery as to what it's doing in the Welsh countryside." | "It really should have been kept securely. It's a bit of mystery as to what it's doing in the Welsh countryside." |