North Wingfield: Three snakes abandoned in box 'lucky to be alive'

The three reptiles found on Wednesday morning are now being cared for in a specialist centre

An investigation has been launched after three snakes were "dumped like rubbish" in a box in Derbyshire.

The reptiles, who were all underweight, were found by a member of the public at an entrance to a field off Haddon Street in North Wingfield on Wednesday.

Abandoned together in a box containing just newspaper, the corn snakes were taped up and left in freezing temperatures.

Animal charity RSPCA has since launched an appeal for help.

RSPCA inspector Rachel Leafe, who rescued the abandoned pets, said the snakes were "lucky to be alive".

She said: "It was very lucky these harmless corn snakes were found as it was very cold - with frost on the ground - and they need to live in a heated environment to survive.

"I suspect they were pets that someone decided they no longer wanted to care for, so they simply taped them up in a plastic box and callously dumped them like rubbish."

The charity says the needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet

The charity says its emergency line has received 20,999 reports of animals being abandoned in 2023, which is a three-year high.

Evie Button, the animal charity's senior scientific advisor, said: "Sadly, we also have to deal with a lot of abandoned snakes.

"Exotic pets such as snakes often end up in the RSPCA's care after people realise they're not easy to care for, or the novelty wears off.

"Others are rescued after they have been abandoned or been released on purpose, which then could pose a risk to our native wildlife.

"Snakes that are not native to this country need a heated environment with a specific temperature gradient for the species to regulate their body temperature."

The RSPCA has said the snakes are now being temporarily boarded with a specialist centre in Ossett, West Yorkshire, where they will be rehabilitated before long-term homes can be found for them.