A python snake was found in an Edinburgh resident's garden after going missing in the city.
Animal rescue officers from the Scottish SPCA were called out to rescue the stray banana python in the Merchiston area after it was found by a resident who was having lunch in their garden. The creature was curled up around a railing, with a cat nearby at the time it was spotted.
The snake is native to west and central Africa, and is known as the smallest of the African pythons. The snake found in Edinburgh measured around one foot long.
They are constrictors which mean they suffocate their pray rather than biting or poisoning, however they are not considered to be dangerous to humans.
The Scottish SPCA have taken the creature to their rehoming centre in Balerno while attempts are made to locate the owner.
Animal rescue officer Nicola Andrews was keen to thank the person who found the snake and reported it to the charity.
She said: "We can confirm we were called out to a stray banana python in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh on 19 July.
"The snake is around a foot long and is yellow and white in colour.
"The python appears in good body condition and is well handled. We are thankful to the member of the public who found the python as it had a few scratches and we hear there was a cat nearby.
"We have taken the snake to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres while we try to locate the owner.
"If anyone spots a stray animal then they should contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."
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