Shocked homeowners have told of their shock after finding a 4ft-long, slightly blue, rat snake in their toilet.
The Essex couple made the grim discovery after a lit candle was knocked over in their bathroom.
When trying to pick up the candle which had smashed, the large hissing snake was spotted backing into the toilet of the Basildon home.
Homeowner Naomi Burdett said: “My partner discovered the snake after hearing the candle smash, he saw the snake which hissed at him then backed away into the toilet.
“He ran upstairs in a moment of panic, neither of us are the biggest fans of snakes and it’s not exactly what you expect to see in your downstairs loo.
“My sister-in-law was close by and was able to come round and help us contain him - we named him Kevin - and fortunately the RSPCA was then able to take him away to specialist care.
“We haven’t had any heating until recently so it must have been really cold for him - we haven’t been staying here during the renovations so I have no idea where he has been living or how long he has been here.
“It’s a really bizarre situation - we were telling family and they were saying ‘send us pictures or we don’t believe you.
“I just hope he makes a full recovery now, as we grew quite attached to him.”
The rat snake, which can be kept as a pet in the UK had been dyed a slight tinge of blue from cleaning products in the cistern, the RSPCA said.
ACO White said: “I’m sure these poor people got quite a shock when they discovered a snake residing in their toilet
“It just goes to show every day is different for an RSPCA inspector - we never know what we are going to be called about.
“Rat snakes are kept as pets fairly regularly in this country so I’m sure he’s an escaped pet - if anyone recognises him they can call the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
The RSPCA advises members of the public to not handle unconfirmed species of snakes, and to contact the charity for advice by calling 0300 1234 999.
