ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS (UK) 13 April 07 Snakes Alive! It`S Archie`S Great Adventure (Lorraine Parker)
More at home in Mexican deserts, one slippery serpent survived nearly 18 months out in the cold on the Island after escaping from his heated tank.
Thought to be long gone after he went missing from his Newport home back in December, 2005, Archibald, a Mexican black kingsnake, was found sunning himself in the garden over the Easter weekend after making his way from the tank, down the stairs, through the house and down the garden.
To the surprise of the Hodgson family, the pet was found sprawled out on the grass, having escaped the teeth of the family dog, the lawnmower and the garden rake.
Owner Daniel, 22, who was at home from Swansea University for a rugby 7s tournament on the Island, said: “I’m really shocked. He was lucky not to get caught by the lawnmower. He was found next to a hole in the ground and he must have been hiding there.”
Usually fed on mice, the family believes Archibald survived on insects. He has also grown to one metre in length and from the girth of a pencil to a two-pound coin.
Mum Linda, who discovered the pet in their Mayfield Drive garden, said: “I just couldn’t believe it. Daniel is over the moon, he’s been telling all his friends. To be honest I thought all my snake duties were over but now I will be cleaning him out and feeding him again while Daniel is at university.”
Mrs Hodgson said her discovery also said a lot about the extent of climate change in recent years.
“He’s a tropical snake and in his tank he had a heat mat with gravel and paper so he could bury himself,” she said.
“It shows how much the climate must be changing for him to survive the winter. I can’t even remember the last time we had a real frost.”
The family now plan to house the pet in their greenhouse so he can enjoy the outdoors but not stray too far.
Snakes Alive! It`S Archie`S Great Adventure