Goodbye my Xena 2005-2010

[infernalis]

Xena passed away this evening due to complications associated with old age.

She lived almost as long as the longest recorded captive Storia Dekayi specimen (7 years) she was at least 2 when we found her as she was gravid with 28 babies when caught, on average they reach sexual maturity at age 2. She may very well have been 3, but I cannot be certain.

Our daughter Samantha found her in the meadow behind the house and wanted so badly to keep her, and I gave in and set up my first snake enclosure in our house.

She was my first ever captive snake, the first to give birth in my care, The first specimen of this species to my knowledge to eat a pinky mouse with no scenting, and the whole reason I am even here on reptile forums today.

I found her under her water bowl, she looked peaceful. The only tank I keep in the living room will never be the same.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/xenagirl.jpg

[Feebo]

Oooooooh bless her :( Sorry to hear that, even though she was old, that`s really upsetting :(

[percey39]

Sorry to hear about xena, its always hard to lose a pet. Im sure being your first she always had the best of the best and was truely happy.

[Will0W783]

Oh Wayne, I'm so sorry. I know she was very special to you, and I'm sure she enjoyed her time with you. My heart goes out to you.

[shaunyboy]

my condolences mate,the first snake you own is always special.

[marvelfreak]

Condolences! Your first snake is like your first love. They will always hold a special place in your heart and live on in your memories. Xena will be missed by all, because if not for her we may not have you. A good friend and great help to us all on this forum. God bless!

[Hillsberry]

Wayne I am so sorry. May she rest in peace. She is so beautiful. She will be missed. :(

[infernalis]

Thank you all so much.

[Flatheadhunter3]

So sorry to hear about your loss. May God bless your Xena.

[infernalis]

She was a little doll. Her son still makes me smile though, he acts just like his mom did.

http://www.ssnakess.info/mrblue/xener.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/snakies/xena.jpg

[Freebody]

sorry to hear about xena bro, my condolences
happy to hear her legacy still lives on.

[infernalis]

happy to hear her legacy still lives on.

Amazing story, I sold him to a woman in Georgia, she had him almost a year and her husband got into a fight with her threatened to kill her snakes, so she shipped them to me and asked me to keep them.

Strange twist of fate returned the little guy right back home.

[Will0W783]

Aww, that is cool. He is a handsome little fellow, hope he gives you many years of enjoyment. :)

[infernalis]

I have to get him a woman friend, my other lady Dekayi is a geriatric also......

So unfair that they only average 5-7 years (Much less in the wild, as such a small snake they are a favorite of birds and milk snakes for food)

That's why they have such huge litters.

[Will0W783]

Oh wow, that is an awfully short life for a snake!

[infernalis]

It's about the size, Garters only live on average 10 years, with records on larger garters up to 15 years.

When you get to be my age, decades go fast!

[Will0W783]

Lol. I know most boids average 20-30 years. Do the giant pythons live longer than, say, a ball python? I don't know much about the giants because I do not keep them.

[infernalis]

Large pythons SHOULD live 25+ years, however the national average is 10 years and under due to poor husbandry.