- Five-year-old boy had shock of his life when he discovered python in his toilet
- Mother Laura Cowell said he was ‘frantic’ following incident in Southend, Essex
- Experts called in to rescue snake believe it escaped from neighbouring house
A five-year-old boy was astonished to discover a 3ft-long python hiding inside a toilet bowl in his bathroom.
His mother, Laura Cowell, said that her son was ‘frantic’ after the incident in Southend, Essex, last Wednesday, adding that the toilet had been blocked for a couple of days and they could not work out why.
After the discovery animal experts from the local pet store, Scales and Fangs, headed to the house and rescued the baby royal python – which is harmless – from the u-bend.
A five-year-old boy was astonished to discover this 3ft-long python hiding inside a toilet bowl
His mother, Laura Cowell, said that her son was ‘frantic’ after the incident, adding that the toilet had been blocked for a couple of days and they could not work out why
Mrs Cowell told BBC News: ‘He was frantic, and shaking, and I could tell something was wrong, but that was not what I expected.
‘I had to use a broom handle to lift the lid, then out popped its head and its tongue came out as well.’
Rob Yeldham, who owns the Leigh-on-Sea store, added: ‘I’ve done many snake rescues in my 10 years, but I’ve never had one in a toilet before. It’s definitely a first for us,’ he said.
Mr Yeldham said he believes the snake may have escaped from a neighbouring home and slithered its way down the toilet – and into the Cowell’s bathroom.
Mrs Cowell said she was ‘petrified’ and put weights on the toilet lid for several days after the experience.
Following the discovery animal experts from the local pet store, Scales and Fangs, headed to the house and rescued the baby royal python – which is harmless – from the u-bend