The non-venomous snakes, which included eight pregnant females, were taken from a house in St Helens last week, police added. Two men were spotted leaving the scene carrying two sacks.

"This is a large collection of snakes that the victim had been gathering for a while," said Det. Con. Neil Henry of Merseyside Police.

According to a website for Royal Python keepers, the snakes grow to an average length of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 metres) and make great pets, as they have good temperaments and are easy to tame.

Police said the snakes were "extremely unlikely to pose any threat to the public".