Salt (LTR) came back! *pics*

[Katt]

Some of you may remember Salt last year, my lone male LTR. Brother to Mark IsBell's (gonesnakee) Yolk, from these photos.

<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/kattia/saltinpot.JPG">

<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/kattia/bnwsalt.jpg">

This snake is responsible for setting off an interest in leucistic texas rats in Canada with his gorgeous little face and adorable little eye. Well at least I think so.

Anyways, Salt escaped a few months back. I was pretty heart broken, as I had just recieved Flour and Sugar, my females and sold Yolk, not too long before.

Anyways, two nights ago he appeared just before I started my shift. He was quite thin and shriveled. We gave him a drink, he threw a bit up. We put him somewhere safe and quiet, and a few hours later we soaked him for three hours. It did him well as he filled out. And I was able to remove several retained eye caps. He feels weak and a bit stiff feeling, but last night he ate a pink, he was eating weanling/hoppers before he went AWOL.

So here are some pics I snapped last night.

<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/kattia/saltback.jpg">


<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/kattia/saltback2.jpg">

He doesn't look so bad, but he feels funny, and he doesn't look as full and healthy and shiny as before.

Anyways, he was gone for a number of months, at least three, and I'm just glad he's back already. I can't wait to get more of these guys!!

[eyespy]

Hooray for Salt!! Considering how long he's been gone I think he looks pretty good. Hopefully the vomiting was caused by dehydration and that's already reversed so he can tank up and be back to his gorgeous self quite soon.

[Colonel SB]

Congrats, I'm glad she is okay.

[crimsonking]

Well, he missed ya, of course!
:Mark

[vanderkm]

Such wonderful news that you found him. He is a really beautiful snake - a variety that is still on my wanted list. Hope his recovery is rapid and you are offering babies in a couple years! Best of luck with him,

mary v.

[gonesnakee]

Good to hear he's back. Yolk got out once, but he was really easy to find. I didn't even know he was out yet & walked into my room & heard his typical "rattlesnake impression". It was coming from some shelves that had no snakes though (yes I do have a couple, lol) so I start pulling out old lamps etc. & sure enough there he was making all kinds of noise. It was like "here I am, come get me if you dare!" Its nice when you find them before you know they are even out. Yolk would never make a good hide'n'seek guy though as he quite often starts his tailshaking as soon as he even hears me moving around in the room, making it quite easy to locate him whether hes where hes supposed to be or not. Anyhow good to hear your snakes back & healthy. Mark I.

[daver676]

I'm glad you found your snake, but I have a few opinions on this....

Was this escape the fault of the snake or it's keeper?
I bet that 9 times out of 10 the fault is of the keeper, whether it be an enclosure oversight, or simple irresponsibility. This is unnacceptable to anyone, especially those who are against snakes as pets. This also creates a stronger arguement for those attempting to ban exotic pet ownership.

I am also very surprised at the amount of posts on these boards about pets being lost and found (or not found).

Irresponsible ownership will be the downfall of this hobby.

[Shane Tesser]

Congrats...that thing is awesome looking :D

[Simon R. Sansom]

Katt, Glad he's back, relatively safe and sound. He's an attractive animal.

Dave676; While I pretty much agree with your sentiments, after keeping many snakes for many years I've found that escapes do happen (and yes, it's usually the keeper who is at fault). Anyone who's worked with snakes for a while has had an escape, and if they say they haven't, they're lyin'! lol.
I've got some good stories myself.

Cheers!

Simon

[Katt]

I really hate these kind of posts, "I'm really <bank>, but...." and then let's make you feel crappy posts. If you want to make a statement why not make a new thread? I do not understand why people set out to make an example of a particular person's post. It really comes across as a personal attack even without meaning to. Especially when its unwarranted. Salt got himself out, not negligence on my part.

This is the 1/10 time that it's the snakes fault. I upgraded Salt into a seven gal with it accompanying snap down lid. Now, how exactly he wormed himself out, I don't know, b/c the lid was still snapped down.

Without proper stats, your statement is false. A more proper way would be, I bet most escapes are due to the keeper.

Unwarranted posts will be the down fall of these forums.

[gonesnakee]

I do unfortunately agree that 9/10 it is the keepers fault. I myself have snakes that are strong enough to pop their tops & sometimes do. I however keep all my snakes in a room where even if they escape their enclosures, they can't get out of the room. The door & heat vent are both rigged to eliminate escape (I did have a hatchling prove me wrong before though, they can fit through the tinest holes, lol). If a snake escapes its in the snake room & is usually found quite easily. I am a strong supporter of no matter what your pet is (dog, cat, bird, whatever) it must be properly controlled & contained at all times. We especially as herpers must try to avoid the bad press involved with escaped animals & take all steps required to try & prevent them. People always flip when they hear a snake is loose, but many of them let their dogs & cats run free & no one worries about them. I have never heard of the SPCA or any other agency having a surplus (if a single one) of "stray reptiles", but every single one is full of Dogs, Cats etc. I have been surprised on how some animals despite all the proper steps being taken, just want to be free & somehow figure out how. Can't say I blame them, lol. Don't worry about it Katt, I know you have taken proper steps, but there are lots of idiots out there that don't, sigh! No matter what we do we will always be discriminated againest by hypocrits. It is always easy to come on here & DIS people, some people get off on it. Its when people post to try & help or support you that makes all that B.S. not matter. Keep the Faith! Mark I.

[Katt]

Hey Mark, I somewhat agree, I think 9/10ths of people suck anyways, but haven't gotten only four hours sleep and the post not applying to my situation, I got a bit testy.

However, saying 90% of escapes is the keepers fault is false without stats. Semantics.

For the record, I do believe many escapes are due to the keeper. I know I'm to blame for many escapes.