Two large pythons on the loose in Sandton

Johannesburg - Two large Lavender Albino Reticulated Pythons have gone missing in Tugela Road, Gallo Manor, in Johannesburg.

In a heartfelt plea, owner Angela Latimer has asked anyone to contact her immediately if they spot the snakes, saying the snakes will not kill or strangle any person or pet.

The 3m snakes went missing on Tuesday at 06:00 after they climbed up the burglar bars in her home and pushed down on the door handle, which opened under the weight.

“I’m freaking out,” she told News24. “They’re very inquisitive and are always crawling up things and they’re not used to the new area”.

Latimer asked for calm, saying: “Please understand. They are in more danger than humans are.”

The snakes have been hand-reared in captivity and differ hugely from snakes in the wild that hunt for food.

They’ll die if not looked after. They don’t know the ways of the world.”

The snakes only eat rats and are fed once a week. They were last fed on Saturday but can live without being fed for two months.

“They won’t eat a baby or a rat or a five-foot man next door,” she said.

Latimer believes the snakes are very close to her home. “They are bright yellow and purple and stick out like a sore thumb,” she said.

People who see the snakes are advised to call Latimer immediately or cover them with a large plastic container until she arrives.

A veterinary rescue team is currently on their way to help with the search. Latimer has seven other hand-reared snakes.

Navesh Singh, inspectorate controller at Sandton SPCA, told News24 they received a few calls from concerned neighbours, but haven’t had any reports of a spotting yet.

Latimer asked anyone who has seen the snakes to contact her at angi@reportstar.net.

- News24