A six-foot Burmese python has been dumped in a Burnley supermarket car park, prompting an appeal by the RSPCA to find its owner.
The huge snake was found in a clear plastic tub on the lower level of Tesco in Finsley Gate, on Friday afternoon, Lancs Live reports.
A member of the public stumbled across the reptile and immediately contacted police, who removed the snake.
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The RSPCA were called in to help and sent an officer to deal with the snake, which is now being cared for at a specialist reptile centre.
The python was discovered in a box with "Brazilian Rainbow Boa £170" written in felt tip pen on the side and the word "West" on the top of the box.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA charity told Lancs Live: "This poor snake was abandoned in Tesco car park and left in a plastic box in temperatures not suitable for an ecthothermic animal.
"Snakes aren't able to produce their own body heat, so they rely on their environment to maintain their body temperature.
"If they become too cold they may be unable to feed or move normally, and their immune system will not work properly to fight disease, meaning the animal can become very ill.
"Luckily, on this occasion the python appeared to be in a healthy condition."
Anyone who has information about the snake's owner should call the RSPCA on 0300 1238018.
