Gut Feeling aka train wreck aka what would you have done?

[Fila]

Gut feeling, I really should listen to mine more. I had been talking to Robin about taking a few baby ball pythons she got a while back and a few cages. At the same time I was also taking to a guy about a rack and a few snakes he had. I asked for pictures from the guy in SA and he always had an excuse not to send. Red flag all over. Went back and forth as to whether or not I wanted to go there and ultimately decided that if I did not have pictures then I would not go, even though he was about 45 minutes from Robins.

Got to ...... and got my baby snakes and was able to get two large cages for .... since I borrowed a bigger truck for that purpose. When we were traveling to ....s, my sister who was the driver mentioned that we might as well go on to SA as close as we were and see the others and the rack. I was not sure but really did want the other rack and three of the five snakes he had, knowing that placing a normal male and a spider male should not be too much of a problem. I felt I could justify the trip and expense by getting a few things I wanted. So, when he called and we were leaving ....s we decided to go on to SA.

I forget to mention that before ....s we pick up a rescue dog, 75 lbs and about 30 lbs underweight that was supposed to be a Fila but was not. Took him anyway because he is a nice dog and I am sure I can place him.

So, we head to SA with a full truck inside and out. We get lost even with GPS and finally make it to the house where the snakes are. I left the pillow cases for the snakes in the other vehicle, we left at 3:30 am so I was kinda foggy and was having a small gall bladder attack to boot. Yeah, gut feeling should have stayed HOME but did I listen, NO. Anyway, the guy decides to send his wife for pillow cases, sister stays in truck with dog and baby snakes, and I go in to see the rack and other snakes. GRRR rack is long and short, wont fit into my snake room, but had three 4 foot wires flexwatts with thermostat so can gut it and make own rack. Then we start looking at the snakes. He has three 16 qu tubs and 2 28 qu tubs, all with BPS in them. OK, 4 of them are 2009 models, red flag starts waiving. 16 QU TUBS?"???? Breath I tell my self, no need to go off just yet... he opens the first big tub, and in it is a lovely chunky normal BP named Buzz by his 8 year old. THREE Sheds in the tub, lots of poop, and empty water bowl. I handle him, mouth good, no throating, no gapping, good muscle tone, very active, nice boy.

He opens the 'Girls' big tub, and same thing, filthy and no water. She is in the same condition as the male. then we open the smaller tubs, two 'boys' and same filth and no water. One a spider male with over half a shed stuck to him and retained eye cap. I take him outside and watch him for a while. Spiders are so sad to me. I do not like how they twist and wobble. He can right himself when turned over, and does calm down after a bit. He is a 2010 model, good size, and all the snake are fed fresh killed. I believe that part as he kept the rat killing bat when I told him I do Frozen thawed and there was poop in the cages.

He refuses to open the MEAN ones tank. He did not touch ANY of the snakes. I am not sure he wasnt afraid of them ALL! Ok, so maybe something happened and now he was afraid to handle them. Get them, clean them up and get outta there. I am beyond mad, but bite my tongue and go on. Wife gets there with pillow cases finally and I start to pull snakes out and bag them. He just watches me from across the room. I go the the MEAN ones tub and he backs kinda around the corner of the walkway. He says he will jump out and try to get anything, crazy. OK, I grab a lid from the bigger tubs. No snake hook of course. I pull the tub out and sitting in rotting bedding, sheds, and soupy filth is this emaciated good sized BP defensively postured. I take the tub and set it on the top of the rack with the lid layed over it. I turned to this HUGE man, choke down my tears, and as CALMLY as I can ask him if those were maggots or what in this tub????

I lose my mind. I am so mad that anyone would let this happen when they know better. Things I say to him should have gotten me punched, but I started off with 'I know you have been busy and are afraid of this snake, but NO animal should live like this, and you know it.' I continue to berate this man to the point that I feel like I should maybe shut up, so I did. I bag this snake, shaking my head, tell his wife who was dumping the tubs as I pulled snakes from them to just throw that one AWAY. At one point he leaned over behind me and said that he did not think the white stuff in it was maggots but maybe MOLD!!! You can imagine what thoughts were going thru this christian grandmas mind!!! He then says wow, he is not even trying to bite you and today is feeding day! I said well that goes to show you how ill this one must be. After I check him out for obvious signs of illness I bag him and tell the guy he is not getting what he wanted for them. He agrees and I hand him too much money and get out of there as fast as I can. I feel the mood shift from passiveness and know my welcome is worn down.

I go home... numb, mad, sad, kicking myself for being such an idiot. I could not leave them, just couldn't. Now I have a nice male BP that needs to go to a pet home, with full disclosure of potential health problems, not that all snakes don't need to be treated with caution if they are new. I am undecided as to whether or not to euthanize or place the spider male. He does eat, I will not keep him as I personally cannot stand how they are. ..... saw him and said he does have a bad wobble. Some I saw on youTube are worse but I am sure if this snake did not eat he would be dead. I may offer him to someone with full disclosure once I get the shed off of him and a few meals in him. I am bathing in bleach and dipping shoes from one area to another. THese guys are in a whole nother building.... So, knowing what you know, anyone want the male BP or the spider?

This was not the end of the day or story, but I hope someone learns something from this. I am a rescuer in my heart and soul, and probably should only do rescue...Donations for the extra heating bills are welcome These five will probably live in my travel trailer for the next 10-12 months...
*Fila*

[rebelrachel13]

Really sad. Good on you for keeping your calm. Hope you can help out and find a home for these poor animals. I don't see how anyone could do this type of thing, but it happens all the time. It's especially odd that he refused to touch them... hm.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I love spiders and would be willing to take him off your hands if you don't feel comfortable with him. I do live in florida though so shipping could be an issue

I'm sorry you had to go through this, but at least the animals are in better hands now

[python_addict]

Wow you're better than me. I wouldn't be able to keep calm..

[The Serpent Merchant]

Wow you're better than me. I wouldn't be able to keep calm..

yeah I would have lost it as well

[Fila]

He was a BIG guy and I was in his part of town and very outnumbered. I should have been smart enough to keep my mouth shut and left...

[Mike41793]

This story is really sad and all but being the type of person i am i found it to be funny that a BIG guy refuse to touch a ball python lol. Having no fear of snakes myself, i just have trouble seeing it from others point of view i guess lol.

[Fila]

Big, at least 375 and about 6'5'. Covered in tats, which I love, but they can be intimidating. Lots of his family around, even his mom but his 8 year old son was not around at all. I am 5'2" and although closer to his weight than not, I also have a permanently broken leg. When he got behind the wall when I opened the tub now that was funny but to see someone so afraid it does make you pause, but, yes, just a ball python. He told me he had never touched that snake and just threw food from a distance at him.

This story is really sad and all but being the type of person i am i found it to be funny that a BIG guy refuse to touch a ball python lol. Having no fear of snakes myself, i just have trouble seeing it from others point of view i guess lol.

[Mike41793]

He never touched the snake??? How did he aquire them then? Why did he even have them if he was so afraid?
And wow thats a big dude lol! He makes even me feel tiny

[Fila]

Pet store breeder is what I was told. Maybe he was embarrassed, but he was certainly afraid of the 'mean' one. I weighed them all tonight. All are 2009 models except for the spider, he is 2010. Normal Male his childs pet=1350. Female normal=1150, Spider=1000, male Normal he said did not eat for a year=900, male normal that is supposed to be mean=700 grams. The childs normal and the 900g male were both in 28 q tubs. All the other were in 16q tubs.