Editor’s Pick of the Week: Escaped snakes in KnaresboroughEscaped snakes in Knaresborough prompt appeal for information from residentsSeventy snakes rescued by Knaresborough volunteers after ‘months’ of neglectHow safe is my dog from the snakes in our area?Number of reptiles at Knaresborough rescue centre doubles

The number of reptiles handed in to a rescue centre in Knaresborough has doubled over lockdown because owners can’t afford to look after them.

Knaresborough exotic rescue has seen the number of animals given to them double over the past three months to 40 animals. Pet owners have said it is due to financial strains caused by coronavirus.

Daniel Holmes, owner of the rescue, said:

“A lot of people are scared because they don’t know how they’re going to feed their animal.”

Image of a white snake up for adoption.

Snakes, snails and hedgehogs are just a selection of the animals the rescue centre has taken in over lockdown.

Read more:

The rescue centre cares for huge reptiles such as reticulated pythons, which can grow to 30 feet, down to smaller animals such as mice.

The centre tries to adopt out as many of the animals as they can, but lockdown has made that more difficult. It hopes to continue their adoption scheme as lockdown eases.