That feeling when you have to pass on a snake...

[dannybgoode]

:(

A really nice Suriname Boa constrictor is still THE snake that would finish the collection off - one of impeccable provenance though.

Then I was tipped off by a contact that someone was selling what was alleged to be just the snake. Apparently is was of a line from one of the most respected boa breeders in the UK.

A quick chat via Facebook with said breeder and he confirmed it was an F1 pure Suriname and definitely one of his.

The problem? Its not been tested for arenavirus and the seller wanted just too much money for me to take a punt on. I could quarantine it properly in a completely separate building to the rest of my collection so that side of things would not be an issue

But, factor in the cost of the test and the fact the snake would have to be destroyed if it came back positive and I just had to talk myself down.

Grrr...

[trailblazer295]

What is the virus you're talking about?

[dannybgoode]

Arenavirus has been around for years. Also known as IBD which I'm sure you've heard of. People didn't heed the warnings years ago and it's fairly rife in the boa population and it can be caught by pythons.

I'm being ultra cautious and it probably hasn't got it but with the value my collection now is and the rarity of some of my snakes I'm not risking it with a snake from an unknown source.

[Tiny Boidae]

But the problem with IBD is that a positive means a positive, but a negative doesn't always mean a negative. I've heard of snakes with IBD that only displayed symptoms years after they contracted it. I've heard that, theoretically, a snake with IBD can go their entire lives without displaying symptoms. So that snake could've came up negative on a blood test only to start stargazing two months later. But I understand the caution, and hope that you find your boa in the future. I'd love to see it.

[Andy_G]

But the problem with IBD is that a positive means a positive, but a negative doesn't always mean a negative. I've heard of snakes with IBD that only displayed symptoms years after they contracted it. I've heard that, theoretically, a snake with IBD can go their entire lives without displaying symptoms. So that snake could've came up negative on a blood test only to start stargazing two months later. But I understand the caution, and hope that you find your boa in the future. I'd love to see it.

This. All of it, but especially that bolded. Nothing wrong with being careful, though. :)

[akane]

It wasn't anything special but I stared at that grown blood python for over a month. I wonder if it ever sold lol I should not wonder. I need $380 for reserved hatchlings in 2 months.

[dannybgoode]

But the problem with IBD is that a positive means a positive, but a negative doesn't always mean a negative. I've heard of snakes with IBD that only displayed symptoms years after they contracted it. I've heard that, theoretically, a snake with IBD can go their entire lives without displaying symptoms. So that snake could've came up negative on a blood test only to start stargazing two months later. But I understand the caution, and hope that you find your boa in the future. I'd love to see it.

Fair comments. The tests are better than they were but yes they're all not perfect but it does identify the issue a lot of the time and lessens the risk on introduction into a collection.

It wasn't the only factor in the deal breaking down but it played a large part and given later unrelated posts by the seller I'm happy with my decision as I'm not convinced they were straight up (told me he was getting out of snakes then told someone else they would swap for a gtp).

[dannybgoode]

It wasn't anything special but I stared at that grown blood python for over a month. I wonder if it ever sold lol I should not wonder. I need $380 for reserved hatchlings in 2 months.

I saw that post. It sucks at times but no point dwelling. Can't wait to see the new babies.

[EL Ziggy]

You can't win em all Danny and sometimes you have to trust that inner voice of reason and not throw caution to the wind. What is meant to be will be. When the right opportunity presents itself you'll know and I'm confident you'll jump right on it :).

[jjhill001]

Crap like this scares me. There is some fungus or virus infecting all snakes now. I thought I was safe from creepy hidden diseases with my colubrids. Not anymore I suppose.

[TRD]

Too bad Danny :C I'm sure it will come your way again in better shape or form..

I said 'no' to a pair of P. baroni few months ago, which I regretted. Just today finally got in contact with that breeder again and perhaps this year I will have a pair :) Now just quietly need to convince my other half that they will need approx 4x2x2 vivarium within the next year or 2, that I will have to put somewhere around where her stuff is located now... I'm looking for an excuse, but perhaps I'll hide the request by offering a striped gargoyle gecko ;)

Btw. Finish the collection off? With you? Is that just a form of self-convincing that it is 'enough'...

...
I doubt that for some reason :D

[dannybgoode]

Too bad Danny :C I'm sure it will come your way again in better shape or form..

I said 'no' to a pair of P. baroni few months ago, which I regretted. Just today finally got in contact with that breeder again and perhaps this year I will have a pair :) Now just quietly need to convince my other half that they will need approx 4x2x2 vivarium within the next year or 2, that I will have to put somewhere around where her stuff is located now... I'm looking for an excuse, but perhaps I'll hide the request by offering a striped gargoyle gecko ;)

Btw. Finish the collection off? With you? Is that just a form of self-convincing that it is 'enough'...

...
I doubt that for some reason :D

I may have stumbled on *the* snake so perhaps all's well that ends well. I'm waiting to here back from the breeder.

Certainly that will be the collection for now - let it mature a bit. I had a vision of where I wanted to get to and I've exceeded what I thought I'd manage and I now need to focus some energy (and money) in getting the enclosures to where I want them.