That feeling when you want to rescue a snake...

Found this ad tonight and I REALLY wish I had the means to take this boa in. I don't have experience with large snakes and while it doesn't look in bad shape, its enclosure is less than ideal. It barely has any floor space to move around :( Maybe I'm wrong but it just doesn't feel like it could really move in there.

I have a big heart for animals, especially snakes. I'm sure most of you do, too. I wish I could rescue them all but I'm at my limit :(

These are pics from the ad:

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3igt6af1.jpg

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0l2x5br7.jpg

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/...psd2rz54xj.jpg

Honestly that one looks better than most. I would ditch the lights because with a tall enclosure like that they will suck humidity out of the enclosure, cover the top, set up a UTH on a thermostat and some stuff to climb on, and that boa would be one happy little snake.

ETA: those enclosures aren't exactly cheap either, you could sell it, set the boa up in a melamine enclosure w/ RHP and t-stat, and come out even.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Honestly that one looks better than most. I would ditch the lights because with a tall enclosure like that they will suck humidity out of the enclosure, cover the top, set up a UTH on a thermostat and some stuff to climb on, and that boa would be one happy little snake.

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They're selling the snake/enclosure for $200 and won't take a penny less. The seller also knows nothing about the snake - age, sex, type, what it's eating etc. I live in a pretty small town and I have a feeling it won't go to a knowledgeable home. It's being marketed as a 'no maintenance pet'.

Also, I know I can't afford it sadly. I won't take a pet in that I can't care for. I just hope it finds a good home.

I'm kind of at a loss for why they would get such a tall expensive tank and then only have stuff in the bottom. It would be really nice with some branches and stuff to climb

I agree, you could turn that cage into something workable. Branches, cover the top, mount an RHP in there with a platform to bask on and a UTH on the bottom to just heat it a little. But bet would be sell it and buy a pvc cage. And that boa doesn't really look that bad honestly from the picture. Price isn't too bad either, sure you could sell that cage for at least $100-150.

If you decide to do it... we can teach you everything you need to know :) Pop it in a tub with locking lid (and holes) and set it up in there. Sell that cage, I can easily see it go for 100, 150. (USD) Actually there was one near me on craigslist that just went for 250, with pretty much the same amount of supplies that I see in the pic.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-HP-...-206130727-_-N



If you are crafty, you could make an enclosure. If not, I bet someone here can point you towards a cheapish one.

Just saying ;)

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Originally Posted by Kokorobosoi

If you decide to do it... we can teach you everything you need to know :) Pop it in a tub with locking lid (and holes) and set it up in there. Sell that cage, I can easily see it go for 100, 150. (USD) Actually there was one near me on craigslist that just went for 250, with pretty much the same amount of supplies that I see in the pic.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Veranda-HP-...-206130727-_-N



If you are crafty, you could make an enclosure. If not, I bet someone here can point you towards a cheapish one.

Just saying ;)

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This.^ If the enclosure (looks like an Exo Terra) is in good condition, it will find a buyer.
I just paid over $300 for a 36"long, by 24"high, and, they are a PAIN to have shipped!

Not trying to egg you on to do something you aren't prepared for, but agreeing with Kokorobosoi that there may be a workaround.
I stay away from all places (brick-and-morter and internet) that feature rescues.
Too upsetting for me.

I really don't have experience with large snakes, though, and it makes me nervous. My biggest snake is a 600g ball python lol. I think I'd be pretty nervous with one that size...

Can anyone tell what type of boa it is? I know the pics aren't the best. I'm curious what size it'll get (she SAYS it's a female). From the ad, it doesn't sound like the lady knows anything about the snake and is just trying to get rid of it since she's going away for 6+ months.

I would guess BCI, or maybe a redtail. If you can get a pic of its tail that would help. Or a pic with no red light lol.

I have red tails, and they are calm for me, unless they are hungry. And even then, they posture very obviously so you can be prepared. I found that when I first got a large snake, wearing work gloves helped me feel better about it. Even if the gloves just make you think its better... then hey, go for it.

They do have some muscle, but Im 5'3, female. I can handle both my male and female with little trouble. I have a homemade hook from what I think is a golf club with the end cut off, and i just maneuver their heads away if they posture, and pull them out by the nearest part I can reach. Once I get them unwound a bit, I can reposition and there you go :)

Common BCI, I'd guess around a year old based on the size. If it's chill to handle you won't have a problem, they take a while to get up to their full size.

Once it's out of QT you could run it in a 41-qt rack with your ball python for at least 12 months, maybe longer if you don't go overboard with feeding; boas tend to be garbage disposals and will tell you they are "hungry" even if they're stuffed full of food. Take that time to figure out her adult-size enclosure.

Haha so true, boas are garbage disposals. My girls will eat and the next day when I open the cage to change their water, they look at me and perk up like i'm gonna be hanging another rat outside the door. When that doesn't happen they just lay back down to conserve that precious energy since they feel they aren't eating enough :rofl:

I really do want a boa but I think I'm going to have to pass on this one. I just can't afford to feed another snake right now and as silly as it is, I want to raise a boa up so I can get used to it as it grows. If anyone is in the Sarnia, London area of Ontario, though, you can scoop up this deal!! lol

I hate reading buy and sells with reptiles! I get upset too, haha. Saw a chameleon being sold because it didn't get along with their new dog once... [emoji24] people will say anything. Price seems pretty sweet, though. Looking and having to pass up on them sucks, haha.


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Originally Posted by ratchet

I hate reading buy and sells with reptiles! I get upset too, haha. Saw a chameleon being sold because it didn't get along with their new dog once... [emoji24] people will say anything. Price seems pretty sweet, though. Looking and having to pass up on them sucks, haha.


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I live in a pretty small town and the only pet store here is Petsmart. Every time a snake is listed, they're always in 'Petsmart condition' with a totally inappropriate setup and they're asking way too much. I've seen so many normals listed for $400+ with a setup.

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Originally Posted by hazzaram

I live in a pretty small town and the only pet store here is Petsmart. Every time a snake is listed, they're always in 'Petsmart condition' with a totally inappropriate setup and they're asking way too much. I've seen so many normals listed for $400+ with a setup.

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I live in the Maritimes and omg!! I know what you mean!! I just bought a piebald for 350 from a breedr but yet i see on kijiji, people trying to sell their normals with tanks for 400+ haha what the heck :-o

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I'm not really sure why this snake "needs rescuing?" Also, if you can't afford to take on another animal, why torture yourself by browsing ads?

The snake looks healthy to me. I don't see why it would need "rescued". Purchased yes, but not rescued.

Regarding whether you should get it, my recommendation would be no. If you don't even know what it is, then you have no idea of its care requirements, the cost to maintain, etc. When getting an animal, thorough research is needed, otherwise that animal might end up needing "reacued" at a later date.

Warren