A Cardiff taxi driver had an unexpected passenger on board – after discovering an orange corn snake under the bonnet of a taxi.

RSPCA Cymru was contacted after the shock discovery was made in the Grangetown area of the city last Friday (11 October).

The animal welfare charity attended, and was able to reach the snake – which was found just beneath the bonnet of the vehicle on Stockland Street.

Fortunately, despite being a little underweight and cold, the snake had no major welfare concerns and has now been transferred to specialist facilities for boarding and care.

RSPCA officers regularly respond to calls about escaped exotic pets – with this latest incident a reminder as to the importance of appropriate, secure accommodation. It is possible to microchip snakes and the RSPCA would recommend that owners ask their exotics vet to do this, so that snakes can be easily reunited if lost and found.

Anyone with information about the corn snake has been urged to contact the RSPCA, in the hope the animal can be returned home.

RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil said: “This was certainly one of the more unusual calls I’ve dealt with recently, with a bright orange corn snake found under the bonnet of a taxi!

“The member of the public in Grangetown opened his car bonnet to see the snake – which must have come as quite a shock!

“Snakes do have complex needs, and can be good escape artists – and it seems likely this snake has escaped from a property in the local area.

“We were pleased to be able to respond to this call so quickly and rescue this snake, who is now safely in our care.

“Anyone with information about where this snake may have come from is urged to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. It would be great to be able to return the snake to an owner.”