EVENING NEWS (Edinburgh, UK) 19 September 06 It's no joke as Monty python makes escape (Andrew Picken)

The hunt is on for a four-foot royal python which escaped by slithering through a window at a first-floor flat in Pilton.

The pet snake called Monty made the 12ft jump from the flat to the garden after forcing his way out of his tank and making his way to the window sill.

Owner William Tulloch, 45, reckons the yellow and black snake accidentally fell from the window after searching for somewhere to cool down and the self-employed salesman has been scouring the local neighbourhood since Monty disappeared on Sunday morning.

Mr Tulloch, of Crewe Road Gardens, said he failed to secure Monty's tank properly and he managed to push his way out of the tank and on to an adjacent cupboard before slithering up to the window sill at the front of his first-floor flat.

Animal welfare experts today said the royal python - which feeds off a diet of baby rats and mice - is usually a fairly docile snake but urged people to call for assistance rather than attempting to catch the pet themselves.

Mr Tulloch said: "I have found him over by the window before and I think he likes to go there to cool down but this time it seems like he has fallen out.

"I've searched everywhere around here and there is no sign, so I've got to keep on looking and hope he turns up.

"I just got up in the morning, went to check him and get some fresh water, and noticed he was gone.

"I'm amazed that he survived the fall; it is a long way down and I was expecting to find him at the bottom.

"Monty is a friendly pet, the royal python is a very placid snake and they like to be handled.

"He might just be down a hole somewhere but they can last up to nine months without food so I'm not worried on that front.

"But I am worried that he will get too cold as they don't cope with that too well."

The royal python is native to western and west-central Africa and is also known as the "ball python" because they coil into a ball when frightened.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said: "Snakes are natural escapologists and it is amazing how they can get out of even the smallest of spaces.

"This snake will be looking for anywhere there is a source of heat, such as heating vents, and will probably be snug away just now. We would say to anyone who discovers this snake not to panic, it is a friendly snake and if it is possible they should just try to contain the snake and contact either ourselves or the police."

In 2003, startled staff at the Biketrax shop in Tollcross discovered a metre-long Californian king snake hiding in the shop.

A police spokesman said: "We were informed on Sunday afternoon about the disappearance of a royal python in Crewe Road Gardens. According to his owner, Monty is a quite a placid snake and should not bite but we would still urge caution and anyone who spots the snake should contact either police or the SSPCA."
It's no joke as Monty python makes escape

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