A Londoner got the shock of a lifetime when she opened her airing cupboard to find a snake cosying up to her vacuum cleaner.
Kasia Radochonska was spooked to find the red and yellow-patterned corn snake basking in the warm nook in her Southwark home.
Kasia said she had opened her cupboard to look for shoes when she spotted her uninvited houseguest - thought to be someone's escaped pet.
“I opened the cupboard in my flat where I keep my shoes and other bits and bobs,” she said.
“I looked at the vacuum cleaner and noticed something red, like rope. Then it moved and I thought: ‘Oh my god, it’s a snake!’
“I shut the door as I didn’t want her to go missing and I sat in the kitchen and waited for the RSPCA to arrive.
“I probably would have been more frightened had she been a big snake but she was only small. If it had been a spider, I would have run a mile!”
Kasia added: “I don’t know how she got into our flat, how long she’d been there or where she came from! You expect to spot a mouse in your flat, or a rat, or even a fox who might wander in off the street. But I never thought I’d find a snake under the Hoover!”
RSPCA animal collection officer Joe Tambini went to Kasia’s flat and collected the reptile.
He said: “Kasia had been knocking on doors in her block to find out if anyone was missing a snake but no one claimed her.
"She was a bit cold so I took her to RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital where she was put in a vivarium to heat up."
The corn snake is a North American species of rat snake.
While its bright colours may appear alarming, it is not poisonous and rarely bites.
Corn snakes are popular as a household pet around the world due to the species' docile nature and attractive patterning.
Mr Tambini said:“People are always surprised to hear that we actually get called out to collect lots of escaped snakes who have gone wandering around the neighbourhood
"They can slither out of their vivariums and into stranger’s homes; we’ve even had some hide for months before coming out later, much to the householder's shock!”
The young corn snake has been nicknamed Mavis by RSPCA staff.
If you recognise this snake, or want to help the RSPCA in its work with animals in need of care please visit their website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.
