A WOMAN whose 8ft pet snake escaped from her home has described how it slithered away – down a toilet.

The boa constrictor – christened Mufasa by owner Louise Rogers – disappeared on Saturday after it was left in the first floor bathroom of its owner’s terraced home in Whitehaven.

Louise, 31, who shares responsibility for the snake with her partner Becky Coulter, 22, desperately searched for her pet but eventually had to call the police.

They issued a warning but so far there have been no sightings of Mufasa.

Louise decided to speak out after comments from people who read about four-year-old Mufasa’s disappearance on the News & Star’s Facebook page.

“Mufasa was having a soak in the bath while I was cleaning his vivarium,” said Louise, of North Row, Kells. “ It only took five minutes. The bathroom door was firmly shut and the window was only slightly open – not enough for him to get through.

“I pulled the bathroom apart looking for him but the only possibility left was that he’d gone down the toilet. They’re good swimmers, and can stay under water for quite some time.”

Louise fears that if the weather turns cold, Mufasa might not survive, but if he can find a snug bolthole he could survive for months. He usually eats one large rat a week but boas can live unfed for months.

She added: “If he saw you, he’d probably be scared and want to get away. ”

Police say anybody who sees Mufasa should not approach him and call 101.

Non-poisonous boa constrictors are native to tropical Central and South America.