Scottish airport staff got a surprise when they stumbled on a Mexican serpent stowaway under a seat.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says quick-thinking workers at Glasgow airport remained "remarkably calm" when they discovered the 18-inch (45-centimetre) snake on Tuesday under seats in the passenger cabin of a flight from Cancún.

The society says the young snake was taken to its Glasgow animal centre, and named Furtivo, Spanish for "sneak".

Furtivo, a member of the Dryadophis family of snakes, is apparently not venomous but "feisty".

The snake may have sneaked on to the plane before takeoff, or hitched a ride in a passenger's hand luggage.

The society says Furtivo will remain in its care until an expert home can be found.