Missing Milk Snake Found Under Neighbor’s Compost Heap After 15 Months
DONINGTON, England — After more than a year of uncertainty, a pet milk snake that escaped from its owner’s home in Donington, Lincolnshire, has been found living comfortably beneath a neighbor’s compost heap. Mark Gordon-Hill, the snake’s owner, was stunned to discover his missing reptile had survived 15 months in the wild, thriving in an environment far from its usual habitat.
The discovery came when Donington resident Emma Dormer posted photos of the snake on a local Facebook group, seeking advice on what to do with the unexpected garden visitor. “Is anyone missing a pet snake? We have found this under our compost heap in Donington. We are on Station Street near Bates. Any advice would be great,” Dormer wrote, sparking a wave of local interest.
Gordon-Hill quickly recognized the distinctive markings and a unique deformity on the snake’s tail, confirming it was indeed his missing pet. “There was this little inkling in my head. I was like — that’s exactly the same snake that went missing a year ago, and then when I got there, I was like, yeah, that’s my snake,” he told the BBC. The milk snake, a smaller species known for its vibrant patterns, appeared healthy and well-fed, suggesting it had found ample food in the garden.
The resilience of the snake highlights the adaptability of some reptiles to urban and suburban environments, even when displaced from their usual surroundings. Experts from the Animal and Plant Health Agency emphasize that while escaped exotic pets can sometimes survive outdoors, their presence can pose ecological risks, making prompt recovery important.
Gordon-Hill expressed relief and hope, saying, “It was heartwarming. There’s hope out there for if anyone does lose any animal, any reptile, it’s nice that it has survived and has come back to its proper home.” The incident also underscores the importance of secure enclosures for exotic pets, a point reinforced by guidelines from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which advises owners to take precautions to prevent escapes.
Local authorities and wildlife organizations, including the Natural England, recommend that residents who find escaped exotic animals contact professionals to ensure safe and responsible handling. In this case, the community’s vigilance and quick sharing of information on social media played a crucial role in reuniting the snake with its owner.
This unusual story has captured the attention of pet enthusiasts and animal welfare groups alike, illustrating both the challenges and unexpected joys of keeping exotic pets. It also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human habitation and wildlife, even in seemingly ordinary neighborhoods.
For those interested in learning more about responsible exotic pet ownership and the environmental implications of escaped animals, resources are available through the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Meanwhile, Mark Gordon-Hill’s milk snake is safely back home, a testament to nature’s surprising resilience and the power of community awareness.
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