Neighbours have lost their snake....

[Chesterado]

Our neighbours have managed to lose their Royal Python. They assure us he is harmless, but I have a newborn baby and a three year old who I am stressing about. But it is 28 degrees outside so would prefer to leave the doors and windows open. Anyone know whether such a snake is going to want to take refuge indoors? To be honest I bloody hate snakes and think neighbours are irresponsible idiots for losing it, but trying to be rational and not worry about waking up with it in bed next to us

[lazydog]

Royal pythons are harmless to humans (unless you handle one and then eat without washing your hands...basic zoonosis risk of salmonella, as with all reptiles) and they're also generally one of the more timid (and beautiful!) pythons. It'll likely bask in sunlight for a while to keep its body temperature at a comfortable level if the daytime temp is such that it's still cool in the shade, but on a very hot day it'd likely retreat to somewhere dark/secluded and still be plenty warm enough.

I see this is a week old thread - have they found the snake yet?

[Chesterado]

Houses not connected thank god! It only eats mice and appears not to be a threat to humans it's just the thought of it being anywhere near us totally gives me the wobbles. Very much hope it has gone off to a sunny:shady spot in fields at the end of the road!

[canyou]

if it in the houses it will be under the floor boards or wrapped around a hot water pipe, it will not just turn up in a room but if the houses are connected and it can get through a cavity black wall it may turn up in an attic. I found my neighbours snake in my airing/boiler cupboard I thought it was a mouse I would have preferred the mouse

[AnythingNotEverything]

I suspect your neighbours will know more. I think snakes are cold blooded so it will probably be sat in the sun somewhere. They should know where it is likely to go.

Is it poisonous? Does it eat small prey whole?! It might be unpleasant if it made its way inside, but at least if you knew whether it was likely to harm your kids you might feel happier!

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

According to this website "They are a terrestrial species that are active at night and hide away during the day. They prefer life on the ground and frequent forest floors and grassy savannas in their natural habitat." It'll be hiding away in this weather.