'That's my snake!': Owner reunited with reptile

A snake found hiding under a petrified Boston family's sofa has been reunited with its owner.

Harry Pantziz and his family previously told of their fright after spotting the reptile on Sunday.

On Thursday, the Florida Kingsnake - described as "harmless" - was returned to Shay Robertson.

Mr Robertson, 40, said his snake - named Snakey - had been missing almost a week.

Mr Robertson said his family had "looked everywhere" for their pet who escaped from his enclosure.

It transpired the snake had only slithered 50ft (15m) from his home to Mr Pantziz's property.

Mr Robertson said: "I just happened to be scrolling on the BBC website and I saw a picture of what looked like my snake.

“I saw the headline, that the snake was in Boston, and thought that’s my snake! When I saw the snake was safe with a charity, I was really elated.”

Mr Robertson said it was "a bit of a surprise" to read how Snakey had shocked his neighbours, even forcing them to evacuate their home.

"I felt pretty bad about that," he said. "But I was elated to find him."

Mr Robertson thanked Stickney-based Ark Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, which collected Snakey from Mr Pantziz's home and cared for him until the owner made contact.

Describing Snakey as "quite curious", Mr Robertson said he likes to "rests his chin and observe you".

"He's hiding at the moment, getting a bit of a rest," he said.

Jamie Mintram, founder of Ark Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, said Mr Robertson was "very happy" to be reunited with the snake.

He said Mr Robertson, when he collected Snakey, had told him his 15-year-old daughter was "going to be over the moon" to have him back, adding she had been "very worried".

According to Ark Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, Florida Kingsnakes are typically about 3ft (1m) in length but said they had been known to reach 5ft 11in (1.8m).

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