Possible Craigslist Rescue (Advice Needed)

[JinxtheBP]

Good morning!

I was browsing the pets section of craigslist today (which I really ought to stop doing...:O_o:) and I saw this boa. I contacted the seller and this is the information I have. Not having any experience yet with boa constrictors, I wanted to see what you all think. His enclosure certainly caught my attention...:hmm:

The seller claims that the snake came from a friend of a friend who couldn't care for him. He eats a live mouse about twice a month. He says that he is able to handle him, but is still bitten on occasion. He wasn't able to tell me the size of the tank, but I would guess it's a 20 gallon. He guessed that the boa is about 2-2.5 feet long. He says the friend of a friend told him the boa is about three years old...

He acknowledges that he can't take care of him properly and has actually waived the $100+ he was asking on craigslist AND has offered to deliver the snake to me.

Here he is.

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/00B0B_4lXqa8egbcu_600x450_zpsfc532db6.jpg

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/00R0R_hVecCZEP46i_600x450_zpsf3c064fa.jpg

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/00V0V_bLS9kkvkOIG_600x450_zps2eb88ce8.jpg

[JinxtheBP]

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/IMG_2385_zps5f97e410.jpg

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/IMG_2386_zps07a596c9.jpg

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/IMG_2383_zpsd80dab5b.jpg

http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag280/Jess_Domokos/Pets/Snakes/Rescue/IMG_2384_zpsc6db7dc1.jpg

[reptiledude987]

Dosent look to be in horrible shape. The one I took in recently was in alot worse shape tham that. He had the worst case of mites I had ever seen and was on the brink of a respatory infestion as his tank was bone dry and not heated at all and to top it off he was very underfed. Now mites are a thing of the past I've got his husbandry spot on and am just working on bulking him back up to a healthy weight.

[ManSlaughter33]

There is no hide :( and hoping that the infrared bulb isnt the only heat source.

[JinxtheBP]

At the very least, the enclosure is a disaster. The bulb is indeed the only heat source. He has no hides. That substrate looks pretty awful. He's clearly having junky, piecey sheds. And, as I said, I'm not familiar with boas, but he seems rather small for a three year old, no?

I initially contacted the seller to try to educate him, not to purchase the animal. He was very kind, but obviously just wants the thing gone.

[Minkness]

If he's free, I'd say take him, learn as you go and do the best that you can. If you decide you don't want to keep him, you can always rehome him after you know he's good to go later. =)

Ive that with horses before. Get a skinny, skitzoid horse, beef it up, calm it down, and spend a little time finding someone that's good for it.

Just my opinion of course. Good luck!

[ManSlaughter33]

Looks stunted for a three year old. My boa is 1 and 3.5 ish feet long.
If hes free take him, help jim.. keep or rehome :)

[Aaron_S]

If he's free, I'd say take him, learn as you go and do the best that you can.

I like the attitude of saving lives. It's awesome to see and I applaud it.

I see three things wrong with the quoted statement though.

1. Just because something is free it doesn't mean we should get it. Usually there's a reason something costs nothing. You get what you pay for.

2. No. With live animals it's not advisable to simply "learn as you go". Any animal, even the common "beginner" animals are huge responsbilities and deserve the respect any animal should. Proper research should be done ahead of time. Along with the fact that a rescue animal should not be used as a learning tool. If the original poster wants a boa they should get one in a better situation so as to avoid any issues that may occur. They would have to learn how to care for a boa but yet possibly have to deal with new issues as well. It can be a lot and that's not fair to the animal.

3. No it's not okay to simply "do the best you can" with live animals and ESPECIALLY a potential rescue. Animals need their needs met 100% at all times. This isn't up for debate. They rely on us to provide everything for them and it's a tragedy for an animal to not have them met because we can't. It is not advisable to just do "what we can offer" to satisfy our need of getting a great price of a free animal.

Put aside any human emotion and think of the animal first. In this case it's better to find a proper home with someone who has experience not only with boas but with animals who may have underlying issues.

[reptiledude987]

Ya from his size looks like 1 year or so.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Looks a little too thin to me and the enclosure is disgusting. Need to make sure it will eat and check for any obvious signs of illness. Good luck to you.

[JinxtheBP]

I like the attitude of saving lives. It's awesome to see and I applaud it.

I see three things wrong with the quoted statement though.

1. Just because something is free it doesn't mean we should get it. Usually there's a reason something costs nothing. You get what you pay for.

2. No. With live animals it's not advisable to simply "learn as you go". Any animal, even the common "beginner" animals are huge responsbilities and deserve the respect any animal should. Proper research should be done ahead of time. Along with the fact that a rescue animal should not be used as a learning tool. If the original poster wants a boa they should get one in a better situation so as to avoid any issues that may occur. They would have to learn how to care for a boa but yet possibly have to deal with new issues as well. It can be a lot and that's not fair to the animal.

3. No it's not okay to simply "do the best you can" with live animals and ESPECIALLY a potential rescue. Animals need their needs met 100% at all times. This isn't up for debate. They rely on us to provide everything for them and it's a tragedy for an animal to not have them met because we can't. It is not advisable to just do "what we can offer" to satisfy our need of getting a great price of a free animal.

Put aside any human emotion and think of the animal first. In this case it's better to find a proper home with someone who has experience not only with boas but with animals who may have underlying issues.

I appreciate this comment immensely.

If this boa comes to stay with me, I will certainly be making sure that his needs are met. I didn't contact the seller because the animal was free. (In fact, it was listed for over a hundred bucks...) I contacted him because I know enough about snakes in general to be able to see that he's not in a good situation. I got in touch to provide him with a care sheet and some suggestions.

Even if I'm not an experienced keeper of boas, I AM an experienced keeper of snakes in general. And this would not be my first rescue, although the previous one was overweight, rather than stunted and underweight. This guy would be much better off with me, already, immediately upon arriving and being provided with a proper heat source, appropriate substrate, hides, etc.

If anyone has especially good resources specific to boas or rescuing reptiles, send 'em my way. In the meantime, I've already been doing my own research!

Thanks for the great points, Aaron.

[Aaron_S]

I appreciate this comment immensely.

If this boa comes to stay with me, I will certainly be making sure that his needs are met. I didn't contact the seller because the animal was free. (In fact, it was listed for over a hundred bucks...) I contacted him because I know enough about snakes in general to be able to see that he's not in a good situation. I got in touch to provide him with a care sheet and some suggestions.

Even if I'm not an experienced keeper of boas, I AM an experienced keeper of snakes in general. And this would not be my first rescue, although the previous one was overweight, rather than stunted and underweight. This guy would be much better off with me, already, immediately upon arriving and being provided with a proper heat source, appropriate substrate, hides, etc.

If anyone has especially good resources specific to boas or rescuing reptiles, send 'em my way. In the meantime, I've already been doing my own research!

Thanks for the great points, Aaron.

Thanks for not taking my comments in bad taste. I should have mentioned I wasn't saying you WEREN'T going to do those things. Just that people in general need to ensure these things when looking to add a reptile or animal to their life.

[JinxtheBP]

Thanks for not taking my comments in bad taste. I should have mentioned I wasn't saying you WEREN'T going to do those things. Just that people in general need to ensure these things when looking to add a reptile or animal to their life.

It's okay! :) I knew you weren't say that!

[Minkness]

My intention of my comment was that ANY care would be better than it's current situation and that OP is not exactly new to snakes anyway. It was meant to state it's a good idea to get him out of where he is ASAP, even if that means a slight learning curve. The free statement was simply pointing out the financial part of it being a better risk, than paying 100$ for a sick animal. That way if a vet visit is required, that 100$ can go towards that. Especially if the current owner is so desperate to get rid of it he's literally giving it away. It wasn't a blanket statement for just anyone to take a free sick animal.

[Aaron_S]

My intention of my comment was that ANY care would be better than it's current situation and that OP is not exactly new to snakes anyway. It was meant to state it's a good idea to get him out of where he is ASAP, even if that means a slight learning curve. The free statement was simply pointing out the financial part of it being a better risk, than paying 100$ for a sick animal. That way if a vet visit is required, that 100$ can go towards that. Especially if the current owner is so desperate to get rid of it he's literally giving it away. It wasn't a blanket statement for just anyone to take a free sick animal.

1. I'm not talking about just free sick animals. Animals in general. I've seen many of the same sentiments from people all over the place. "I couldn't pass it up! It was free!" and so forth.

2. No. Not ANY care is better. There is NO grey area when it comes to this. It's either the proper care or don't take on the responsibility. If someone can't give 100% care, including all costs, then they are better off finding someone else to take it and not getting involved beyond that.

I applaud the intentions of well meaning people but they need to think about the animals beyond their own gratification of "I helped out a poor animal".

Note this isn't directed at JinxtheBP as I'm talking about generalities.

[Minkness]

Yeah, I guess being let out into wild would be a worse situation than a well intentioned person taking on the responsibility.

[Aaron_S]

Yeah, I guess being let out into wild would be a worse situation than a well intentioned person taking on the responsibility.

Who said anything about the wild? I stated a well intentioned person can find someone who can take on 100% of the responsbility and not just 80% because "that's the best they can do". Do you know what 80% husbandry gets? Respitory infections! WOOO! Go ahead. "Rescue" all the animals you like.

Well intentioned is just making the animal suffer in less than ideal conditions for longer to make the person feel good about themselves. Again, put the animals needs first. Not ours as keepers.

[fishingfool]

I say learn as.much as you can and take it in if you really want it

[Minkness]

Aaron, I know you have well intentions with your comments but sometimes they just make it sound like you're looking for an argument.

[Aaron_S]

Aaron, I know you have well intentions with your comments but sometimes they just make it sound like you're looking for an argument.

My intentions are to ensure proper information is put out for anyone reading to use.

Take my words however you like.

[Kuamata]

I like the attitude of saving lives. It's awesome to see and I applaud it.

I see three things wrong with the quoted statement though.

1. Just because something is free it doesn't mean we should get it. Usually there's a reason something costs nothing. You get what you pay for.

2. No. With live animals it's not advisable to simply "learn as you go". Any animal, even the common "beginner" animals are huge responsbilities and deserve the respect any animal should. Proper research should be done ahead of time. Along with the fact that a rescue animal should not be used as a learning tool. If the original poster wants a boa they should get one in a better situation so as to avoid any issues that may occur. They would have to learn how to care for a boa but yet possibly have to deal with new issues as well. It can be a lot and that's not fair to the animal.

3. No it's not okay to simply "do the best you can" with live animals and ESPECIALLY a potential rescue. Animals need their needs met 100% at all times. This isn't up for debate. They rely on us to provide everything for them and it's a tragedy for an animal to not have them met because we can't. It is not advisable to just do "what we can offer" to satisfy our need of getting a great price of a free animal.

Put aside any human emotion and think of the animal first. In this case it's better to find a proper home with someone who has experience not only with boas but with animals who may have underlying issues.

^ This. Don't take it personal Mink, Aaron is just really passionate, and is making very valid points. Making certain mistakes will most definitely put the welfare of an animal at extreme risk. Dealing with exotics, I run into this EVERY DAY, and sometimes these are mistakes made by very well meaning people that would do anything for their pets.

Sure, Aaron's presentation may come off a little harsh to some, but that's who he is. I can come off the same way and often rub people the wrong way despite trying to help and having good intentions, but due to my blunt and honest personality, people tend to take offense or discredit me. I'm working on that, though, because my ultimate interest is for the animals, but people generally don't like to listen to people they perceive as butts. Trust me, he's the same person he was before I left this forum years ago. It's nothing personal, just who he is.


As for the OP, that enclosure is just horrendous, and for 3 years old, that RTB is no doubt stunted. No hides... Probably no humidity because that bulb is sucking it all out... No cover for the screen... not even a dish big enough to fully soak in. Horrible uneducated dolts.

PS: I may not have my boa yet(I hate you, winter), but I'm keeping her enclosure at about 57% humidity, but it can range 50-60%, warm side at 87F, basking spot at 92F, and cool side at 82F. Do not go below 75F. At three years and being the size of a yearling, I'd say he/she's probably nearly done growing... If I had to guess, assuming that's a 20L, then it's probably... 2 - 2.5ft long... and I'd guess a max of maybe 4 - 5 ft at 5 years of age. That may even be stretching it a little, I've never dealt with a stunted snake so I don't know their potential after so long. Definitely will be a small one, though.

[Minkness]

Oh, I know. However the OP was asking for opinions on if he should rescue or not. Mine is that he should...not quite clear on Aaron's opinion other than he doesn't like how I said something. You are also right that most people will tend to listen to this they don't see as a 'butt'. I was merely pointing out that Aaron, good info and all, comes of as a butt sometimes. It's not like I told a total newb to run out and rescue something that's free to make themselves feel better, which is kind of how Aaron is making my words sound. But whatever, it's the OPs choice and I'd really rather not start a war about right and wrong in a thread that was started to ask an opinion. OP clearly understood Aaron's intent better than I did. -shrugs-

[JinxtheBP]

As for the OP, that enclosure is just horrendous, and for 3 years old, that RTB is no doubt stunted. No hides... Probably no humidity because that bulb is sucking it all out... No cover for the screen... not even a dish big enough to fully soak in. Horrible uneducated dolts.

Yeah, I've decided he's coming home with me. I'll keep you guys posted. I sent a message to confirm this with the seller, but haven't heard back yet...

[JinxtheBP]

My BCI/BCC distinguishing skills are not great, but I was thinking BCC. What do you all think?

[SnoopySnake]

Looks like a nice BCI to me.. good luck, this fella would look great fattened up.

[Kuamata]

Oh, I know. However the OP was asking for opinions on if he should rescue or not. Mine is that he should...not quite clear on Aaron's opinion other than he doesn't like how I said something. You are also right that most people will tend to listen to this they don't see as a 'butt'. I was merely pointing out that Aaron, good info and all, comes of as a butt sometimes. It's not like I told a total newb to run out and rescue something that's free to make themselves feel better, which is kind of how Aaron is making my words sound. But whatever, it's the OPs choice and I'd really rather not start a war about right and wrong in a thread that was started to ask an opinion. OP clearly understood Aaron's intent better than I did. -shrugs-

I think his main concern is that, if a newbie were to look at this thread, in a similar conundrum, and see a post along the lines of,"If it's free then go for it," they may take that statement at face value and get in over their heads or end up unknowingly abusing/neglecting an animal. I know you had more reasoning to your statement than,"Oh cool, a freebie," but other people may take the statement alone and go out to get a good deal because someone else seemed to agree with the mindset, despite the fact that you actually do not agree with that kind of irresponsibility. You had other valid points made, later on, such as the vet care, but a newbie that only wants acceptance(which has been more common lately) may take your one statement and run with it. I think that's what he's trying to get at and prevent.

Also, OP, I made an edit to my post above with the info for my RTB tank.

[Aaron_S]

Oh, I know. However the OP was asking for opinions on if he should rescue or not. Mine is that he should...not quite clear on Aaron's opinion other than he doesn't like how I said something. You are also right that most people will tend to listen to this they don't see as a 'butt'. I was merely pointing out that Aaron, good info and all, comes of as a butt sometimes. It's not like I told a total newb to run out and rescue something that's free to make themselves feel better, which is kind of how Aaron is making my words sound. But whatever, it's the OPs choice and I'd really rather not start a war about right and wrong in a thread that was started to ask an opinion. OP clearly understood Aaron's intent better than I did. -shrugs-

If you read my post you'd see I suggested the OP not get this animal in particular for reasons stated. They've since decided to get it anyway and seem to be taking as many steps as possible to ensure a safe and healthy transition of the animal into their care.

My suggestions go beyond your thoughts for the OP. Why? This is a forum with many viewers other than the OP. The information I put out is for others reading who may be thinking the same thing as the OP to just re-think their decision one more time before proceeding. It's not necessarily for this case but the myriad of others out there on a daily basis.

Last thing anyone wants is the "total noob" reading your statement and saying "yeah! I can give my local craigslist retic a good home because I'm trying real hard with my 50 gallon tank instead of it's 30 gallon!" Trust me. It happens. I've been around long enough.

[JinxtheBP]

PS: I may not have my boa yet(I hate you, winter), but I'm keeping her enclosure at about 57% humidity, but it can range 50-60%, warm side at 87F, basking spot at 92F, and cool side at 82F. Do not go below 75F. At three years and being the size of a yearling, I'd say he/she's probably nearly done growing... If I had to guess, assuming that's a 20L, then it's probably... 2 - 2.5ft long... and I'd guess a max of maybe 4 - 5 ft at 5 years of age. That may even be stretching it a little, I've never dealt with a stunted snake so I don't know their potential after so long. Definitely will be a small one, though.

Excellent info! Thank you :)

Oh, I know. However the OP was asking for opinions on if he should rescue or not. Mine is that he should...

Neither here nor there, but...I'm a lady! LOL :crazy2:

[Minkness]

Sorry Jinx! I hate it when I do that x.x you aren't the first victim lol

[mrgrimm]

Glad to hear you got the snake. After seeing the pics you posted, and the fact you are passionate enough to post here and take in some good advice, I feel like you can make that snake much more comfortable than it has been it's whole life in just a day or two!

With enough research and some cash a lot can be done in just a little bit of time these days, with ultra fast shipping online, craigslist to source local cheap supplies, and google, youtube and amazing forums like this to scour for tips!

[JinxtheBP]

Sorry Jinx! I hate it when I do that x.x you aren't the first victim lol

Totally fine! :yes:

[Jacktar]

Are there any updates?

[JinxtheBP]

None yet. The guy is supposed to be bringing it by this weekend. I'm going to touch base with him tomorrow to make sure we're still on. Thanks for checking in! I'll post pictures when/if he arrives!