Anyone missing a snake? Appeal to find Gizmo's owner after reptile left in box

Gizmo, a young corn snake, was left in box at the gates of the Sedgley sanctuary last week and staff are keen to return it to its owner.

"The note on the box said it was found in Smethwick - but it didn't say whereabouts or in what circumstances," said Amy Taranaski, centre co-ordinator.

"We don't know how long it's been missing - it could be a few days, or even months. They can get by for quite a while."

Gizmo has now been given accommodation at the rescue centre, along with more than 250 other snakes, lizards, turtles and terrapins that have also been been taken in after finding themselves homeless.

Amy said many of their reptile residents are corn snakes as they have a reputation as making perfect 'first snakes' for fans of the serpent species.

She describes Gizmo as a juvenile, not more than a couple of years old with a placid temperament, and showing no signs of being ill-treated.

"He's not underweight, with no cuts or bruises, and is very friendly," she said. "He may have escaped from his enclosure. A few do slide out through the hole in the box where the heating cables come through, and sometimes their owners don't quite shut the doors to the enclosure properly. Snakes are brilliant escape artists so you have to be careful."

Along with corn snakes, terrapins also take up a lot of the accommodation at the rescue centre.

Amy said: "The trouble is that people get them when they're babies because they're about the size of a 50p piece and look very cute but they can grow to the size of a dinner plate and that's when their owners can decide they don't want them any more."

Anyone wishing to claim Gizmo or is interested in rescuing any of the other reptiles at the centre should call The Reptile Trust on 01902 218005.