Eastleigh police are hunting slithery customers who raided the back garden of a Chandler's Ford home and made off with two royal python snakes.

The breeding pair of pythons - worth £700 each - were nabbed by thieves who ignored a more dangerous rattle snake and a valuable iguana.

Police believe that it could have been a targeted raid with the offenders knowing exactly what they looking for.

A police spokesman said: "The thought is that they were quite possibly stolen for breeding purposes. The fact that they have been taken as a pair increases their value as opposed to them being taken individually.

"They are quite young, only a couple of years old, and have a value in terms of their reproduction."

The raiders struck at a garden in Devon Drive, sometime between 7pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday. Police have described the owner of the snakes as a reptile enthusiast who kept them as pets but said he did not wish to speak publicly for fear of being targeted again.

"Whoever took them did have a knowledge of snakes and reptiles," added the police spokesman.

Officers are keen to hear from witnesses who saw anyone in the area at the time of the raid or saw any suspicious vehicles.

They are also asking anyone offered royal python snakes or anyone who knows of their whereabouts to contact Eastleigh police station on 0845 045 4545.

A spokesman for Marwell Zoo said the pythons did not represent a hazard to the public pointing out that they were constrictors. But, because of their size, they were unlikely to do much damage.

She added: "They could just wrap themselves around your arm and they might bite if they are worried - but they are not venomous."