Duncan - 26 year old Colombian redtail

[Dianne]

My girl was feeling friendly tonight when I was cleaning her cage, so I took the opportunity to get a couple of shots of her. I got her in 1993 when she was about a year old from a friend who was re-enlisting and couldn't keep her on base. We've both grown over the years and I've learned a lot from her and my other long-term snakes. I'm still amazed that she was this tiny little snake that I could cup in my hands to the big 7' girl she is now.

[dakski]

What a big, beautiful, girl!

Mazel Tov on 25 years with her!

That is a wonderful and happy story.

[alittleFREE]

She is beautiful! Glad she has a great owner who has stuck with her for the long haul

[Jakethesnake69]

Nice, really enjoy seeing these older snakes. Seems that so many change ownership but that continuity of long term ownership is really appealing to me. How much has demeanor changed if at all. I guess I’m just curious if they can get old and grouchy like some people.
She is really quite stunning, love the coloring on her head.

[richardhind1972]

Very nice indeed .
great to see these pensioner snakes having some decent life’s still, shes a beauty


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[Reinz]

Nice looking Boa, my hat’s off to you for being such a good snake keeper!

[Dianne]

Nice, really enjoy seeing these older snakes. Seems that so many change ownership but that continuity of long term ownership is really appealing to me. How much has demeanor changed if at all. I guess I’m just curious if they can get old and grouchy like some people.
She is really quite stunning, love the coloring on her head.

This girl has always been a bit on the grumpy side. Probably 80% of the time I take her out I get some low end hissing to start with. If she really doesn’t want to be bothered I’ll get full on open mouthed blowing. Most of it is bluff...but not always...if the blowing is accompanied by shrugs against me touching her, I wait for a new day. That said, she usually tolerates short handling sessions, at least long enough to put her in a tub to clean her cage. She also gets the occasional luke warm bath because she tends to crawl through her ‘deposits’. She seems to enjoy the baths and likes to cruise around on the floor or sofa. Tonight she was crawling around on me as well, so maybe she’s getting mellower in her senior years.

Sir Hiss, my male Colombian redtail that passed last year at 26 years old, was always a sweetheart - had him just about from birth in 1991. I also have a few other long term pets. My 28 year old ball python (Eli) that I’ve had since 1992 is puppy dog tame unless he smells a rat. My 30 year old Colombian rainbow boa (Hudson) is as easy to handle now as when I got him in 1995. My Solomon Island ground boa is around 18 years old, I purchased him in 2002 (wild caught, so age was estimated based on size) and once he got used to handling, he’s been great. I haven’t had any of my long timers get grumpier as they age...I believe gentle consistent handling is the key. The only 2 snakes I’ve seen any particular change in temperment are my two 16 year old corns (Yin & Yang). My girl, Yin, has always been pretty mellow, but both her and Yang are far more chill than in their early years. Both of them are pretty content to hang out in my lap with some excursions into the sofa cushions and covers...much easier than trying to keep them out of everything like when they were younger.

[Reinz]

Wow, you really ARE a great snake keeper to have raised so many senior citizens!

[richardhind1972]

That’s really impressive Diane
Hat off to you,so so cool to have that many pensioner snakes , my oldest was a grey rat snake I had for 17years
Are you sure you not got one of them pools from cocoon hidden in your basement thats rejuvenating them. Lol


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[Dianne]

That’s really impressive Diane
Hat off to you,so so cool to have that many pensioner snakes , my oldest was a grey rat snake I had for 17years
Are you sure you not got one of them pools from cocoon hidden in your basement thats rejuvenating them. Lol


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I had a grey rat snake (Storm) for a while...got him as an adult. He was a great snake and I loved his colors...the grey and silver were just gorgeous. I hardly ever see these guys at the local shows any more.

If I had that pool, I’d be having a soak myself!