Ball python found on Burnaby Mountain...again

It's certainly not their typical home, but for the second time in less than a month an exotic ball python has been found slithering around trailson Burnaby Mountain.

Early in August, a Simon Fraser University student carried a metre-long ball python home after finding it sunning itself near a trail near Horizons restaurant.

A day before, it had been spotted by city workers, who were unable to collect it before it got away.

• Student collectsAfrican snake loose on Burnaby Mountain
• Metre-long python spotted on Burnaby Mountain

Now a second snake hasbeen found, this time slithering along a trail as people were out for an evening walk.

Mike Hopcraft, whoowns the Reptile Guy Rescue and Education Centre in Mission B.C. ended up bringing what appears to be a baby snake to his facility.

"It's a little on the thin side, so it is a new ball python, which definitely should not be outside at all," said Hopcraft who estimates the snake is a month or two old.

Officials with the SPCA believe the snakes may be abandoned by owners who decide they no longerwantthe animals.

Ball pythons harmless

Hopcraft describes ball pythons as harmless,non-venomous snakes, bred for different patterns and colours.

He hopes it's not a breeder dumping the exotic animals.

"So this one being a normal [colour], it's pretty much worthless to a breeder, it's not worth any money, it's a waste of time feeding it because you're not going to make any money off of it, so unfortunately it could be case of someone just dumping their ball python," he said.

Whatever the reason snakes are being dumped on Burnaby Mountain, Hopcraft says it should stop.

Weather turning against exotic snakes

"The sad reality is that the weather is turning, last night it was 14 degrees, they're going to start dying off now."

Hopcraft says people interested in owning a snake like a ball python need to do their research before buying one and if they do decide at some point that they can no longer care for it, they should surrender it to a shelter.

This latest ball python will stay at the Reptile Guy Rescue and Education Centre now for the next month before beingput up for adoption.