Exotic snakes snatched by reptile thieves in a series of raids face certain death without proper care and attention.

Five valuable snakes have been snatched in separate incidents from the Tranquility Aquatic and Reptile Centre, in George Street, Brighton.

Snake expert Sean Alger, who cares for the reptiles, is concerned the adult and baby snakes will now die without heat and food.

He said: "There won't be much luck for the baby snakes.

"There's no way people are going to care for them, they are not going to give them a big tank with fresh water and hundreds of pounds worth of light.

"And if they try to feed them live food, that will kill them because if they are attacked they may never eat again out of fear."

None of the snakes are venomous and they survive on dead rodents fed to them by their carers.

In the latest theft, just after 2pm on Friday, two men stole a Carolina Corn Snake and an Amelanisitic Corn Snake, worth a total of £150.

The first was about four feet long and dark orange with red saddles, dark eyes and a black and white checked stomach.

The second, also four feet, was almost albino with orange saddles, red eyes and a black and white stomach.

The thieves removed a glass panel and slipped the reptiles down their jackets but were caught in the act on CCTV.

Shop assistant Lou Tovey chased the thieves for more than 20 minutes through the streets of Brighton but lost their trail.

The loss comes only a week after a pair of thieves, a man and a woman, escaped with a Pueblan Milk Snake, worth £80, a Desert King worth £35 and a Florida King, worth £50.

Centre owner David Ford, said: "The snakes aren't dangerous but if the people who they end up in the hands of don't know how to look after them they don't have much of a future.

"These people are taking them for money, not for the love of the snakes, it's possible they have been stolen to order."

Mr Ford has increased security at his aquatic and reptile centre and is urging anyone offered a snake to contact the shop or police.

The two men in Friday's snatch have been described as in their late 20s or early 30s, about 5ft tall with pale and spotty complexions.

The first man, of medium build, had a dark, greasy, bowl shaped hair cut, and was wearing a black three-quarter length canvas coat and blue jeans.

The second man was wearing a grey jacket with a Chicago Bulls motif on the back and light coloured jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call Brighton police on 0845 60 70 999.