Exotic snake shocks guests at West End hotel after travelling 3,000 miles in a suitcase

Journey: the 12-inch reptile is thought to have slid into the couple's suitcase in Kuwait
RSPCA
Tom Powell7 February 2017

An exotic snake gave guests at a luxurious West End hotel a fright after it was discovered lurking among luggage.

The albino hognose snake is thought to have squirmed its way into a couple’s suitcase as they were leaving Kuwait, unaware it would be joining them on a 3,000-mile flight to the UK.

The 12-inch reptile reappeared nestled among towels as the couple unpacked their bags at the Cumberland Hotel in Westminster on Saturday, following a seven-hour flight.

The stunned pair immediately fled their room at the £180-a-night, four-star hotel and waited outside for the RSPCA to arrive.

Shocked: The couple made the slippery discovery at the Cumberland Hotel near Marble Arch (Nigel Howard)

Animal Collections Officer Jill Sanders, who was called to the rescue, said: “I think this couple nearly jumped out of their skin when they started to unpack their luggage after their seven-hour flight and found this uninvited stowaway.

“The long, red-and-yellow snake was just sitting there on top of their towels.

“They said they were so shocked they ran straight out of the room, and wouldn’t go back in until I got there. Luckily I found the reptile inside a pillowcase, where it had escaped to, and it was quite easy for me to collect.”

The RSPCA officer said she had to check the suitcase before leaving in case any other uninvited passengers were hiding within, but she found nothing.

“I can see how this happens,” she added. “People leave their cases open on the floor while they are packing in exotic places, and reptiles such as this one just crawl in seeking a quiet dark place to hide. Unaware of what they are carrying, holiday-makers then zip-up and go.”

The hognose snake is not native to Kuwait and was most likely a pet which had escaped. It has now been sent to South Essex Wildlife Hospital where it is hoped to be rehomed.

Hognose snakes are unlikely to cause serious injury to a human, although they do have mild venom which could be toxic to their small prey such as frogs and toads.

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