A CONCERNING number of exotic animal cases were reported to the RSPCA last year, new figures have revealed.

In Merseyside, the RSPCA received 360 calls about exotic animals in 2018 and a total of 15,790 calls nationally about abandoned, stray, sick, suffering or neglected reptiles, mammals, birds and fish.

That is more than 40 calls a day - or more than one call every hour.

The animal welfare charity believes that this worrying trend is down to people not doing enough research into exotic pets and not understanding the type and amount of care these animals need.

This ultimately leaves exotic animals being neglected, dumped or even escaping.

Last year RSPCA inspector Alison Fletcher discovered a python dumped at the side of a road in Liverpool.

The snake was curled up in a corner of a box and was left with no food or water.

Insp Fletcher said: “The box had been totally emptied of any contents and curled up inside was a python.

"I actually thought it was dead as it wasn’t moving but then I realised it was just super cold and needed warming up.

“The heat mat was still taped to the underneath of the box with the plug hanging loose.

"The poor snake had been discarded like a piece of rubbish and it was lucky it was found by the dog because if it was left much longer it would have died.”

Of the 360 calls in the region, Merseyside based inspectors rescued 63 exotic pets.

Nationally more than 4,000 exotic animals - including more than 500 snakes, more than 300 turtles, 145 bearded dragons, five raccoon dogs and even four marmosets and one wallaby were rescued in 2018.

This distressing trend is something that has been mirrored nationally with charity bosses voicing 'real concerns' over the welfare of exotic animals in the UK.

Stephanie Jayson, RSPCA senior scientific officer for exotics, said: “Although their numbers are small compared to more common pets, we have real concerns about the welfare of reptiles and other exotic animals kept as pets in this country.

“Reptiles and other exotic pets are completely reliant on their owners to meet their welfare needs including requiring the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet.

"Many of the animals we’re called to help are found stray outside, where they can very quickly suffer in the cold.

“These animals are commonly found for sale in pet shops and are advertised online. At least in the past, animals have often been handed over to buyers with little or no information about how to care for them properly, although new regulations in England should improve this.

"In some cases, we believe owners take them on simply because they believe they will be easier to care for than other pets, but it is essential that people research what is required in the care of their pet, from food, equipment, environment and vet care, before taking one on.

"We would also urge them to ask for help if they’re struggling to meet their needs.

“We believe that people may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home.

"This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal’s needs and whether they’re the right pet for them.”

In England in Wales, calls about all animals to the 24-hour RSPCA cruelty hotline also increased by 13% on 2017's figures.

For information about the exotic animals looking for a home at the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet