Three dead pythons and a cat were found in a grim discovery in woodland near Carstairs.
The first snake was found by a member of the public on December 18.
Two more dead pythons were then found in the same spot three days later.
The snakes were all adult royal python and about one metre in length.
Whilst SSPCA officers were at the scene, they came across the body of dead cat metres from the snakes.
The black and white cat was unfortunately not microchipped.
Scottish SPCA inspector Dawn Robertson said, “Sadly, the snakes were already dead when they were discovered.
“The person who alerted us to the first body found it at around 10.30am in woodland between Carstairs village and the Clyde Valley Nursing Home.
“We were then alerted to a further two dead snakes at around 10.30am three days later in the same area.
“When I attended the second call, I also came across the body of a cat at the foot of a nearby tree a few metres from the snakes.
“The snakes are all adult royal python and about one metre in length.
“The black and white cat was unfortunately not microchipped.
“Although we can’t be certain of the circumstances surrounding these deaths, it’s certainly a very unusual incident and we’re keen to establish how the bodies came to be in that stretch of woodland.
"If anyone recognises these snakes, or the cat, and knows who may have owned them, we would urge them to contact us as soon as possible by calling our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
