In England, a baby corn snake was found beside the bread in a grocery store, and an animal rescue group has said it has taken in more snakes as cost-of-living pressures rise.
Here's what to know
Pet Encounter (@Pet_Encounter_Cumbria), an animal education group in Workington, Cumbria, took the snake into its care after it was discovered on Aug. 14 at a Heron Foods store in Maryport, England.
Pet Encounter wrote on Instagram, "We have named her Crumbs since she was found near bread."
There wasn't an indication one way or the other of whether the snake had been abandoned or had escaped. Pet Encounter has taken in 21 snakes this year after rescuing 14 during all of 2025, according to animal handler Ben Nicholson.
More background
Nicholson told the BBC that the rising cost of keeping exotic pets may be leaving some owners unable to manage the expense.
"There's the equipment, heat mats, heat bulbs, they all have a cost and we're in a cost of living crisis," he said. "People are looking to cut down on their energy use, and these animals can be a significant factor."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Nicholson added that some exotic pet owners get these animals before learning what their care requires.
Human choices are a big influence. People often bring home snakes and other exotic pets without fully weighing the cost or effort involved, and rising bills for heat mats, bulbs, and other equipment are now pushing some owners to give the animals up rather than continue paying for their care.
What can be done?
With intake increasing, Nicholson said the group is now looking into becoming a charity-status rescue group. They also anticipate an influx of owls in the coming years thanks to the upcoming "Harry Potter" series premiering on HBO.
As Nicholson put it, "We can't say no to these animals."
Where can I learn more?
Rescues and surprise sightings show just how often snakes turn up in unexpected places. These stories include escaped pet snakes, stowaways, and startling finds inside buildings and vehicles.
• In South Africa, a warehouse worker found an albino corn snake among boxes and adopted it.
• In an old house, an escaped albino corn snake reappeared after months behind a hole.
• On a TUI flight from Cancun to London, a stowaway snake vanished after landing.
• A snake keeper opened a cabinet and found a wild Western ratsnake in a substrate bag.
• Inside a home's pantry, a large rat snake turned up after quietly hunting mice.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
