Bright orange SNAKE gives couple shock of their lives as it pokes out from hoover
A HUSBAND and wife had the shock of their lives when they found a bright orange snake poking out of their vacuum cleaner.
The pair, who have asked to remain anonymous, called in the RSPCA after the woman discovered the 2ft-long corn snake last Friday.
It is thought to have escaped from a neighbouring house in York, but no one has yet claimed the exotic pet.
Speaking about the find, Lucy Green of the RSPCA said: "They spotted the corn snake's head under the door and were rather frightened about what kind of snake it might be.
"The man who called us initially thought his wife was playing a prank on him when he saw the snake's head popping out from the airing cupboard and said it looked like a realistic toy.
"I went along to collect the snake and when I arrived the snake was no longer in the airing cupboard - but had slithered inside the vacuum cleaner.
"Luckily they weren't using it at the time and he snuck inside just before I got there.
Snake with TWO HEADS found in Croatia
Luckily they weren't using it at the time
"It was quite a surprise to flip the head of the vacuum cleaner over and see the snake's little orange head poking out."
Corn snakes are not venomous and are native to the US.
They are renowned escape artists and need a secure vivarium to live in, with a thermogradient to allow the snake to warm up or cool down, UV lights and a humidifier.
The RSPCA collection officer added: "Perhaps he got out of his vivarium and decided to do some trick or treating for Halloween, or go and frighten some neighbours.
"I knocked on several doors in the local area but couldn't find an owner or anyone who knew where the snake had come from."
The snake has now been delivered to an exotics specialist and, if not claimed within seven days, will be re-homed.