wolfy-hound, thanks for your response! I considered it neglect because the tank has no substrate, just a coke box for a hide, water that looked like it hasn't been changed in a week, it was so bad it looked like skim milk. The only heat was a lamp above the cage.

We picked up most of what we need today. Got a "starter kit" that has a spray bottle, a clamp for a light should we need one, a small UTH, a stick-on thermometer and a stick-on hygrometer. I also picked up a hide and a water dish that seemed to be suitable. I will be getting a thermostat and a larger tank (a 20gallon long I think), as well as a few other things when I get the money. I estimate the rest of the supplies I need to get will cost around 200.00, which to me is well worth the investment for saving a beautiful animal from a life of ..maybe not neglect, but a life of ignorance.

I knew absolutely nothing about snakes when I first decided I wanted one. Then I found this forum and a few other sites. Over the past several days, I've been reading, and so has my girlfriend, about how to take care of this snake. I feel that while I'm not the smartest or most knowledgeable snake owner, I have done enough research to be a responsible snake owner. Besides, if I learn something new every day, then visiting these forums and other websites will do more good than harm, as long as I filter the smart stuff from the ignorant stuff.

I have even taken to educating friends, with the little info I do have, and pointing them to this site, about snakes. I've had people ask me "Do they bite? Are they slimy?" To which I can answer "Not normally", and "no!" now, where a few days ago, I would say "Uhh, I don't know but I want one anyway!"