The three-foot (0.9 metre) long California King Snake was found in Paignton.

It is thought the animal either escaped or was released by someone who did not want to keep it any more.

The snake is being looked after at Paignton Zoo, where it will probably stay if its owner is not traced.

The snake was found at Paignton beach

The snake is not poisonous but does squeeze its prey to death, in a similar way to a boa constrictor.

The snakes are kept as pets, but being out in the wild in the British autumn weather could have killed it.

Rod Keen of Paignton Zoo said: "These snakes would actually hibernate for part of the year.

"It could've survived the cold, if it found somewhere to keep out of the way. But it wouldn't have survived the dampness of this climate."

Zoo collection

The snake has reached adulthood but has not had enough food.

After being found on the beach, it was taken to local vet Martin Lowe. He passed the snake onto Paignton Zoo where it could receive specialist care.

Martin Lowe said: "We took her into the surgery and created a small vivarium for her.

"We then gave her convalescent diets by stomach tube until she was fit enough to take food herself."

The zoo is now trying to find out who owns the snake. If no-one is found, she will probably remain at the zoo as part of its own collection.