mysticmoon
05-09-16, 02:59 PM
2 years ago I was given two yearling Rosy Boas, they were not my first snakes but I definitely was not prepared for the events that followed. Both of the snakes ended up dying, and I want to reflect on why and bring awareness to others. If your snake is exhibiting signs of illness, DO NOT WAIT. Take him to a vet immediately, the longer you wait the higher risk for death and higher treatment prices. And also, be careful who you buy snakes from. You don't always know if the animal is healthy or not and what kind of condition they may be in. Do your research on the breeder and request information.
The person who gave me the snakes said they were about a year old, but to me they looked much younger, possibly hatchlings. Being dumb, I didn't ask many questions because I was just super excited to get 2 new editions to my collection, 2 coastal rosy boas, one albino and one normal. Upon being given to me the owner informed me that they had previously been housed together, but I decided to house them separately.
The albino baby exhibited signs that should have been a red flag to me immediately, he was a super picky eater, and most times quite lethargic. Despite proper temps and attempts at regular feeding this baby passed away a few months later from causes I am not sure of.
Fast forward to last month... the normal Rosy I had been given at the same time was doing well. He had grown and was an aggressive eater. Still, this snake too exhibited odd behavior. Sometimes I would find him lying on the side of his head, or with his head upside down. In panic I would open the tank and nudge him and he would jump up startled. I summed it up to he was just a strange guy and enjoyed sleeping that way. During this month I had been packing to move out, and I fed and left my snakes at my mom's house for a week before I came back. When I returned I discovered my Rosy stiff and dead with his undigested food still in his belly.
I am still unsure what the cause of death was with both of these snakes. Moral of the story? If you notice odd behavior or even have the slightest feeling something isn't right, please take your animal to a vet. A consoltation is usually quite affordable and if there is nothing wrong they will send you on your way. I wish I would have gotten these two to a vet when I had the chance.
The person who gave me the snakes said they were about a year old, but to me they looked much younger, possibly hatchlings. Being dumb, I didn't ask many questions because I was just super excited to get 2 new editions to my collection, 2 coastal rosy boas, one albino and one normal. Upon being given to me the owner informed me that they had previously been housed together, but I decided to house them separately.
The albino baby exhibited signs that should have been a red flag to me immediately, he was a super picky eater, and most times quite lethargic. Despite proper temps and attempts at regular feeding this baby passed away a few months later from causes I am not sure of.
Fast forward to last month... the normal Rosy I had been given at the same time was doing well. He had grown and was an aggressive eater. Still, this snake too exhibited odd behavior. Sometimes I would find him lying on the side of his head, or with his head upside down. In panic I would open the tank and nudge him and he would jump up startled. I summed it up to he was just a strange guy and enjoyed sleeping that way. During this month I had been packing to move out, and I fed and left my snakes at my mom's house for a week before I came back. When I returned I discovered my Rosy stiff and dead with his undigested food still in his belly.
I am still unsure what the cause of death was with both of these snakes. Moral of the story? If you notice odd behavior or even have the slightest feeling something isn't right, please take your animal to a vet. A consoltation is usually quite affordable and if there is nothing wrong they will send you on your way. I wish I would have gotten these two to a vet when I had the chance.