Please help, I have a huge dilemna on my hands.

I made the mistake of going through the reptile classifieds on Craigslist. I found this red tail boa for sale being kept in absolutely horrific conditions. Here's a couple screen shots:

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/...psabc5150d.png

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/...psaaa1ca8e.png

That's right, that's a heating pad dangling into a glass tank, filthy haylike substrate I can't even identify, a tiny plastic water container, and (based on my limited knowledge) a snake that looks to be permanently stunted in size due to underfeeding.

I've read on the forums that local animal control isn't generally receptive to reptile welfare, but this horror show bothered me so much that I tried giving them a call. As soon as I said the word "boa", the person I spoke to gave me the number for Florida Fish and Wildlife.

So I called FWC and explained the situation. They directed me to the website where I could submit the information. I asked if they took care of animal welfare issues for snakes or just confiscation of illegal ones, since I didn't believe it was illegal to own the boa. I was told that it was illegal to SELL without a permit.

So my choices are to do nothing and leave the animal in disgusting conditions, hoping someone else buys it, or give FWC the information to have it confiscated and probably euthanized. Purchasing it myself is not an option.

Guys, what do I do? Any other suggestions?

Search around for local pet rescues if you cant take it in yourself. Screw going to government agencies for help, they dont help at all. See if you can find a local herp soceity every state has one. You could also inform the seller that selling the snake without a permit is illegal and that he should pull the ad and adopt out this animal because it is not being kept in good conditions.

Is a 6-7 ft red tail boa stunted? Could just be a small male...regardless I cant stand when people dont take care of their animals

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While I agree that that's poor substrate choice, the uth and heating are laughable and potentionally dangerous for the health of the snake, and me personally not being partial to fish tanks for larger boids I disagree about the animal appearing stunted/starved. That's not a true red tailed boa: its a common Colombian BCI which averages 5-7' and based on the body shape and tone of the animal it actually looks well fed to me. I would suggest it to have two hides and a better bowl but even bowl wise I don't give my boas large enough bowls to soak in and they're fine. This guy needs some basic husbandry changes but I wouldn't call it horrific, I've seen much worse.
I can't speak for Floridia laws but I would see if a rescue would be interested in taking in the animal: for selling the current owner could always argue "I'm rehoming it, not selling" too unfortunately.

Had to be Plant City >< damn. (Lived there the bulk of my life.) Sucks when people don't know what they are doing, or don't really care to try and change it even if they do know, especially when it can be potentially harmful to a living thing. I don't have much advice to offer, but I hope that the eventual outcome of this situation is a happy one.

It could be a lot worse. I ended up taking a four foot four year old female boa that had been stuck in a 20-gallon all her life and fed minimally "so she wouldn't outgrow it". :rolleyes: And no I didn't pay a dime for her.

While that male needs an upgrade, at least he does have enough room to stretch out and his body condition is decent.

IMO as a common male he's overpriced, unless the tank holds water and can be flipped to someone who wants to use it for fish.

To be brutally honest, my suggestion to you, is to quit looking at Craigslist.

Not ideal, but I have seen far worse conditions on CL. Doesn't. Look underfed to me either.


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Originally Posted by Slim

To be brutally honest, my suggestion to you, is to quit looking at Craigslist.

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Yeah, it really exposes the sad reality of things doesn't it???


Different day same old $hat!

That being said I can empathize with the situation but have no real helpful advice.

Sorry : (

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

While I agree that that's poor substrate choice, the uth and heating are laughable and potentionally dangerous for the health of the snake, and me personally not being partial to fish tanks for larger boids I disagree about the animal appearing stunted/starved. That's not a true red tailed boa: its a common Colombian BCI which averages 5-7' and based on the body shape and tone of the animal it actually looks well fed to me. I would suggest it to have two hides and a better bowl but even bowl wise I don't give my boas large enough bowls to soak in and they're fine. This guy needs some basic husbandry changes but I wouldn't call it horrific, I've seen much worse.
I can't speak for Florida laws but I would see if a rescue would be interested in taking in the animal: for selling the current owner could always argue "I'm rehoming it, not selling" too unfortunately.

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I agree completely. The snake looks more or less fine to me. I am a bit appalled at the dangling heating pad, but I too have seen much worse.

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Originally Posted by Slim

To be brutally honest, my suggestion to you, is to quit looking at Craigslist.

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This. If you're going to browse craigslist, you need to be prepared to see this kind of thing. It does suck, but we can't save them all. :(

The rescue organization idea was a good one. I spent a lot of time with the Google trying to find a local group that takes reptiles/exotics with no luck. There was one in Orlando, but it shut down last year, unfortunately.

Thanks for the input on size. I do feel much better knowing the snake hadn't been starved. Boa constrictors are definitely outside my area of expertise.

As far as Craigslist goes, I was actually looking at aquariums/supplies, since I would like to eventually get some axolotls. Knew I probably shouldn't click on the snake posting that came back in the search results, and, boy, do I regret it!

If anyone else has suggestions or local contacts for this area, please let me know.

Substrate looks like dead leaves from tree pine trees to be exact


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Originally Posted by seanzee1

Substrate looks like dead leaves from tree pine trees to be exact

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Dead leaves from pine trees?? Pine trees don't have leaves. They have needles. :D :gj:

Haha true that's what I meant I see them around my house a lot


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Originally Posted by seanzee1

haha true that's what i meant i see them around my house a lot


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lol!