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Giant snake captured in Scottish town following reports of it roaming streets

Watch: Giant snake on loose in Scottish town

Reports of a giant snake on the loose in a Scottish town prompted a police investigation after pictures emerged on social media.

Videos and images of a huge serpent slithering through Drumfrochar Road in Greenock on Tuesday shocked locals.

The snake is believed to be a Burmese python but it was not immediately clear how it came to be roaming the streets.

Twitter users were quick to jump on the unusual sighting, with one writing: "This snake mystery in Greenock is easily the most terrifying yet exciting thing that’s happened in a while."

Pictures of huge snakes in Greenock appeared on social media. (Twitter/@InverclydeNC)
Pictures of huge snakes in Greenock appeared on social media. (Twitter/@InverclydeNC)

A Police Scotland spokesperson told Yahoo News UK the snake has now been caught.

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Chief Inspector Paul Cameron, local area commander for Inverclyde, said: "We have traced the owner of a large snake found on Tuesday, 2 February, in Greenock. Footage of this animal was posted to social media and it is currently with a vet.

"No criminality has been identified in relation to this at present and enquiries are ongoing."

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn added: “Police Scotland is currently dealing with an incident of a Burmese python in Greenock.

“Scotland’s native snake is the adder, which can grow to around 60cm long. There have been reports of grass snake sightings in the south of Scotland but these are very rare.

“Encountering an exotic snake is highly unusual. If anyone does come across a non-native snake then they should not approach it and contact our animal helpline immediately on 03000 999 999.”

Burmese python background. Two pythons on grass
Burmese pythons can grow up to 16ft in length. (Getty/stock photo)

Burmese pythons are one of the largest species of snake, typically growing to up to 16ft long.

They are native to South East Asia but are often sold as pets.

Watch: Snake tries to crawl out of toilet in Singapore