A bearded dragon that was dumped down a Basildon alleyway and left to die is recovering after she was rescued by the RSPCA.

A passer-by found the female bearded dragon abandoned in her vivarium down an alleyway off Long Riding.

She kindly took the reptile home and plugged in the heat mat in an attempt to warm her up.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Joe White is now asking for anyone with information about what happened to contact the RSPCA as soon as possible.

He said: "The caller found this poor bearded dragon very cold in the tank at around 2.30pm on 8 March, but they think it had been there for at least two hours already.

"When she took the tank indoors to check if the beardy was still alive, she was very dark in colour and appeared lifeless as she was so cold.

"The caller plugged in the heat mat and lights that were in the vivarium and began to slowly warm her up.

"This poor reptile is in a very bad way. I think she had been neglected for some time because she was so thin and dehydrated and the food bowl in her tank was covered in mould that had grown out of the bowl and onto the substrate.

"It is heartbreaking that someone would dump such a helpless animal that belongs in hot climates outside in the cold on such a cold day."

Exotics senior scientific officer at the RSPCA Nicola White said the issue of abandoned reptiles is a growing one for animal rescue charities such as the RSPCA.

She said: "We are finding that many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on. As a result we are rescuing around 1,700 reptiles every year - and the number of calls we receive about abandoned reptiles is increasing too.

"Reptiles may look resilient and tough on the outside but they are actually completely reliant on their owners. The conditions these animals need are not always easy to replicate in a home environment.

"An owner who has never kept a reptile before may not know how to set up a vivarium properly or understand how to tell if their reptile is unwell and needs to see an exotics vet.

"It is for this reason that we are urging potential owners to research and look into what is required in the care of their pet first before taking one on so they know what is involved and how long it is likely to be for. There are books full of information on how to care for all sorts of species and specialist vets are an excellent source of support and advice."

Anyone with information about where the bearded dragon came from or how she came to be dumped should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.