Snake missing for 1 year escapes crow's claws and meets owner again

A corn snake, a pet of a resident near Spennymoor, miraculously survived despite being outside in the cold for a long time and being attacked by crows .

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) received a report of a corn snake slithering on the roof of the garage of a house in Spennymoor, County Durham, England, and came to rescue the animal, BBC reported on March 28. Expert John Lawson at the RSPCA said the 90cm long snake was caught by a crow but then released because it realized the prey was beyond its reach.

Corn snake crawling on the roof of a garage in Spennymoor. (Photo: RSPCA).

A nearby resident came forward to confirm that this was his pet, Agnus, who had gone missing about a year ago, and was happy to see the animal again. Lawson was surprised that Agnus survived for so long despite not being warmed up for so long and experiencing a crow attack. He said snakes cannot generate their own body heat, so they must rely on the environment to maintain their body temperature.

Agnus was taken to a veterinarian and treated for a respiratory infection caused by being out in the cold, then reunited with his owner. "The veterinarian believes that Agnus has entered a state of brumation , similar to hibernation, and his body has temporarily shut down to survive ," Lawson explains.

According to the RSPCA, snakes are excellent "escape artists" and will take advantage of open cage doors or loose lids to escape. The organization urges snake owners to keep their cages secure and locked when necessary.

Corn snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus ) are non-venomous and are not considered a threat to humans. They are about 61 - 182 cm long, have a slender body, usually orange or yellow brown with large red spots with black edges running along the back. Corn snakes are native to North America. They mainly eat small rodents and birds. This animal can live up to 23 years if cared for by humans, but their lifespan in the wild is shorter.