A resident in West Hampstead opened their front door on Monday morning to find a two metre-long snake in their recycling box.
Police were called after the owner of the bin, Steve Berry, was faced with the hissing reptile outside his home in Parsifal Road.
Sharing his find on social networking site Reddit, he asked: “Anyone lost a snake? Found this feisty little guy on my front step this morning.”
With earlier sightings of the snake up a tree in the road, Mr Berry said another resident had put it in his recycling box.
The non-venomous corn snake was eventually taken away to Harmsworth Animal Hospital.
Corn snakes are often kept as pets and feed on small rodents, reptiles and amphibians.
Mr Berry, originally from New Zealand, said: “I had no idea you could just have snakes as pets in England. I kinda want one now.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here