Rescuing a Lemon Blast

[Lorgakor]

So I'm totally thinking "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is", but I am going to be rescuing a supposed female lemon blast on Saturday morning. I saw a Craigslist ad for a lemon blast python, so I emailed it to inquire and ask for a picture, as the price was really low.

After much emailing back and forth and a google image picture given, I finally got the story and some actual pics of the snake. This person was given this lemon blast (born in August, 80grams, female) as a gift from one of their professors. He knows nothing about keeping snakes, and he keeps the poor thing in a shoebox, with no supplemental heat. He now says that he is worried about it as it's colour is starting to fade so he thinks it is stressed. He is moving and can't take it with him, plus he knows nothing about caring for it, and has no proper home for it anyway. So he just wants it to go to a good home, and doesn't really know anything about how much it is worth.

So long story short, I did see cell phone pics of this snake, in a shoe box with some repti-bark type substrate, and pics of it in just a plain box. It does look rather faded and browned out, but they weren't good quality pics. It is definitely a lemon blast.

So I am definitely pessimistic, but I'll be meeting him anyway to see what is what. But I think I'll be bringing someone with me lol!

Anyway, the only point to this story is I wanted to tell someone, but absolutely no one I know gives a crap about snakes. I just feel so bad for the poor thing living in a shoe box.

[Don]

Be sure to quarantine the little fella for a good long while. You don't know what it might have picked up and you don't want it to spread anything to your collection. Post some pictures, I always love a great deal.

[jbean7916]

oh wow. What a find. I hope it turns out to be ok and just needs a little TLC!! Pics when you get it!!

[EverEvolvingExotics]

Nice find. I found a bumblebee selling on craigslist once for $80 with a "cage". The kids father was pissed that his son bought a snake and was selling it for cheap even though he knew his son spent a lot of money on it. By the time I emailed him, he has already received 20-30 emails for people wanting it.

It's rare but it happens. Good luck!

[HighVoltageRoyals]

Keep us all posted on this please! Very interested in the outcome.

[bokuza]

How sad! That is just horrible. I hope you nab the little gal up asap!

[Lorgakor]

Thanks everyone. I will definitely quarantine the little one. And I will post pictures when I get home with it tomorrow morning, if all goes well. It could still be a scam I suppose. If it isn't, I think I'll name the little one Aldo, as it lives in an Aldo shoebox. He said it is a female, but I doubt it, I would actually prefer a male.

[el8ch]

Hope this goes through for you - Male or female this would be a great addition. Hopefully you will get this little girl and be able to provide her with a nice new "warm" home that she can start over in.

[Lorgakor]

Well, I got home with my new lemon blast! I can't believe it actually was one, her colour is so washed out that she almost could pass for a pinstripe, she was so cold and stressed. (Hoping you all don't tell me it IS a pinstripe lol!) She seems a little dehydrated, but not skinny. She is only 79 grams, was apparently hatched in August. Her belly has a bit of a strange colour, but she could be getting ready to shed. I saw no sign of mites, but that doesn't mean there are none I know.

I paid $120. and I'm pretty sure it is a girl.

Shoebox she came in,


Inside the box, this is how she's been living. It wouldn't be too bad if there had been heat involved. I'm not sure if she had a water dish or not.


Some pics of Aldo,






And this is my very first time sexing, I was gentle. I am not really sure what I am looking at here, so I took a picture. I don't think those are hemipenes? But I'm not sure what the black/red is, maybe poop?


And it all went back in after just fine,

[mpkeelee]

wow!! congrats. that is a nice animal and its even better it only cost 120. in that pic it does look female so thats insane!! why cant i find a deal like that. if "SHE" doesnt fit into your breeding plans i have a nice warm place you can send her. congrats again!!