BBC (London, UK) 07 June 06 Thieves steal 8ft carpet python
Thieves have stolen an 8ft snake from the home of a reptile rescue volunteer in the Highlands.
Lorna Watt, 27, was fostering carpet python, Diesel, when it was taken from her flat in South Kessock, Inverness.
She reported the black and green serpent, which weighs up to four stone, stolen at 1800 BST on Tuesday.
Northern Constabulary said anyone who found or was offered the snake for sale should not approach it and call police immediately.
The snake, which was being nursed back to health after being rescued by a pet shop in Elgin, was due to be handed over to Highland Reptile Rescue in Ross-shire on Thursday.
Miss Watt and partner David McKenzie, 29, said Diesel's cabinet - made from an old wardrobe - was secured before they left for work but when they returned there was no sign of him.
They have three other snakes - a royal python, corn snake and a northern pine snake - along with two iguana and a bosc monitor lizard. They were left untouched.
Miss Watt said they had fed Diesel a dead rat and he would not need to eat again for a week.
She said: "Just now he is relaxed and docile.
"But once he's hungry he could bite or constrict someone."
Mr McKenzie added: "We do a lot of work with the Highland Reptile Rescue, at roadshows and the like and were only looking after Diesel so that we could help him get used to being handled.
"Sometimes we also need to ensure they return to their correct weight as when they are rescued they are often in a condition whereby they require feeding.
"We were due to give him back tomorrow and I would just appeal to anyone who may know where he is to contact police."
The serpent eats large rats which can be bought from specialist pet stores.
Carpet pythons are a non-venomous constrictor.
Thieves steal 8ft carpet python