Sixteen snakes have been dumped outside a fire station just days after 13 royal pythons were left in the same spot.

The first batch of reptiles were discovered in Sunderland on Thursday after a member of the public spotted movement inside a Buzz Lightyear pillowcase.

They were taken to a vet but one of the snakes later died.

Then on Saturday a further 15 corn snakes and one male carpet python were found in two pink pillowcases left inside a bin behind Farringdon fire station.

The snakes were rescued by RSPCA inspector Heidi Cleaver and taken to the vets.

Snakes in a pillowcase (RSPCA)

“I couldn’t believe it when the call came through to say there had been even more snakes found in the exact same spot,” said Ms Cleaver.

“These snakes had been left inside the bin so they were incredibly lucky they didn’t end up in the landfill.

“It is really concerning to think that someone has had around 30 snakes or more which they have decided to abandon in this cruel and callous way.”

Snakes are unable to produce their own body heat and rely on their environment to maintain their body temperature.

In pictures: venomous snakes Show all 5 1 /5 In pictures: venomous snakes In pictures: venomous snakes Egyptian Cobra Found in the Middle East, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, the cobra’s venom can kill a human within 15 minutes and an elephant in three hours. It can be recognised by its small flat head and round snout Alamy In pictures: venomous snakes Puff Adder Found across Southern Africa, the snake, which has dark stripes, hunts small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs and toads Rex In pictures: venomous snakes Black Mamba Once thought to be the world’s deadliest snake, the black mamba is found in Southern and Eastern Africa. It strikes once, then waits for its prey to become paralysed before devouring it Rex In pictures: venomous snakes Carpet Viper The snake, which is found in South Asia and India, has a speckled belly and a distinctive cross-shaped white mark on its head. It hunts lizards scorpions and centipedes Rex In pictures: venomous snakes Spitting Cobra The colour varies on this snake, which is found in sub-Saharan Africa. It eats small rodents, lizards and other snakes. Unlike other snakes it projects its venom Rex

“We were in the midst of Storm Dennis at the weekend when these snakes, who need heat and light in order to survive, were left outside in the cold with just a pillowcase to contain them,” said Ms Cleaver.

“It would have been very stressful for the snakes to be in such close proximity to each other as well.”

The RSPCA is appealing for information from anyone who might know about the snakes.