A python seen slithering across a footpath in Southampton was rescued by a passer-by.

The four-foot royal python was spotted on Lovers Walk near The Avenue on Thursday, August 10.

People spoke of their shock at seeing the reptile, but one animal lover decided to take matters into her own hands.

Alissa Kingham said seeing the python, confirmed to be a male, was surprising.

The 31-year-old University of Southampton employee said: “It was definitely a surprise, I thought at first maybe he was a rubber snake someone had left there for a prank, until I saw him moving.

“I don’t know a ton about snakes, but enough to immediately know he was a python and definitely shouldn’t be where he was.”

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Alissa found the snake around midday in the wooded area opposite the Cowherds pub.

She said: “I’m an animal lover so I knew I couldn’t just leave him where he was - he could’ve been run over by a cyclist or attacked by a dog or fox.

“Unfortunately, no one has come forward yet. I posted on Reddit and asked a couple of friends to make posts on Facebook too, but no one’s claimed him yet.”

She added: “I don’t have him anymore, we found a reptile rescue specialist up in Berkshire who was thankfully able to take him in, so we dropped him up there.”

University of Southampton student Charley Peters discovered the snake on the footpath on the same day.

The 19-year-old who lives near Lovers Walk was shocked to see the python so close to home.

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He told the Echo: “I jolted backwards; I have never seen anything like this before. I was really confused when I saw it.

“I called the RSPCA but they said they couldn't do anything as it could move by the time they arrive.”

Southampton Reptile confirmed the snake in question was a royal python.

The snake is non-venomous and instead constricts its prey.

In its native habitat - West and Central Africa -the species lives in grasslands, shrublands, and forests.

The snake is also known as a ball python because is known to curl into a ball when threatened.