Cut through the noise by getting the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox A man removing a fireplace at his house was left 'gobsmacked' at what he found behind it.
The landlord, who was renovating a house in St Helens, Merseyside, went to remove the electric fire from the property to replace it.
But he was left shocked after discovering a 4ft desert kingsnake curled up behind it, the Liverpool Echo reports. The snake, which is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico, is known for consuming small mammals, birds and reptiles, such as rattlesnakes.
The landlord, who made the discovery at a house on Peckers Hill Road, didn't know what to do when he found the snake. He called the RSPCA for advice and animal rescuer inspector
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk