AN RSPCA inspector had to deal with a slippery customer after a Thurrock family found an unwelcome visitor in their bathroom.

RSPCA animal collection officer and exotics officer Joe White was recently called to a home in Grays after the daughter of the family living there was shocked to find a corn snake had taken up residence.

Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet reptile species in the UK and it appears this one had escaped but was hoping to find a new home!

Joe said: "The caller's daughter found the snake in their bathroom and was absolutely hysterical. A lot of people find snakes very frightening so it must have been a huge shock to come across one slithering around the bathroom!

"The snake was obviously quite scared by the commotion too as he slithered inside the toilet. When I arrived I had to reach around the back of the toilet and into the basin where the snake was curled up the inside of the toilet bowl.

"It was dark inside and he was laid on the uncovered concrete so probably felt like he was outside, in comparison to the clean, shiny bathroom floor!"

Joe managed to get hold of the corn snake and pull him out to check him over.

"He's a little skinny but was feisty and that's usually a good sign!" Joe added. "I took him to a wildlife centre nearby where they'll care for him until he's strong enough to be rehomed."

Snakes are talented escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid, so the RSPCA advises owners to ensure vivariums are kept secure (and locked if necessary) to prevent accidental escape.

The charity's officers have been called to snakes who have been found in lots of unusual places including in a vacuum cleaner, in an oven and in a kitchen drawer! The RSPCA collects more snakes over the summer months, and it is possible that some of these are escapees becoming more active in warmer weather.

It is also possible that this could be due to snakes having more opportunity to escape, if owners take them outside to take advantage of the natural sunlight.

It is possible to microchip snakes and the RSPCA would recommend that owners ask their exotics vet to do this when possible, so that snakes can be easily reunited if lost and found. Anyone who believes this snake may belong to them should contact the RSPCA's appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

The RSPCA currently has dozens of reptiles in its care looking for new but knowledgeable homes. For more information on rehoming reptiles click here..

For more information about the care of corn snakes click here.

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.