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 #1727996


D-hype
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 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

Hello, yesterday I was walking home from the bus stop, and as I was passing the entrance to a parking lot, I noticed a snake curled half down, half up on the pavement. Having had a baby ball python before, I noticed it was not a snake of Michigan, I live in Grand Rapids, MI. I noticed the bright red spots on the tail and seen that it was a red-tailed boa. I gently nudged it with my foot, because it did not look like it was dead, too colorful and full.

Now it moved a little. So, me being me, I picked it up gently to examine it. It is almost 3 ft long, just a young one, and it must of just shed, as there was just a little piece of skin toward the bottom of it’s tail that needed to come off, it still had that "wet" look at the end of the tail. Color was very good, eyes not clouded, but clear, but very listless.

I carried it home and set it in my sink with a blanket and towel, and kept the bathroom light on. I have a gecko, but I am not disturbing his home for the sake of an abandon snake that might of been thrown out a car window????? I noticed he could barely hold his head up, but his tongue darted in and out just fine, and he started moving a little more after I held him in my warm hands. He was very cold.

Now, my question is, I don’t want him, but I don’t want to abandon him, if he is even save-able. I know I need to get him in some water, but with barely any stiffness in his neck (could of been mishandled at the neck area by previous owner - UGH!!) I am not at all sure what my next move is. I am not going to pay a vet for this. Any suggestions until I can get him somewhere that will take him? I am calling our Blanford Nature Center to see if they would take him.

I know a snake is very vulnerable after a shedding. However, is there anything else I can do?

thanks
d-hype



05/07/08  11:32am

 #1728031


Dgmid61
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   Message To: D-hype   In reference to Message Id: 1727996


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

You dont need to put him in water. Just get him warmed up and have a bowl of water close by for him to drink. Once he warms up you will be able to tell better how he is actually doing. You need to get him in a enclosure and get the temp up on one side. Spray him to help with the humidity. If you were closer I would take him for you, but I am in virginia



05/07/08  12:35pm

 #1728077


Littleindiangirl
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   Message To: Dgmid61   In reference to Message Id: 1728031


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

I’m in michigan (tri city area) and would be willing to help you place this animal if you have no success. We go to grand rapids for the show once in a while, and I know of a lot of people around the state that could be contacted.

I agree, get a tub, get him warmed up, give him a nice bowl of water. If you’d like, you can PM me for anything else, or email.... . Let us know how it goes with him.
05/07/08  01:31pm

 #1728082


D-hype
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   Message To: Dgmid61   In reference to Message Id: 1728031


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

Thank you so much. I will do that when I get home. I also called our VIP Pet store and they said they would take a look at him too for me to analyze his condition. I hope he makes it through this. Cute little bugger. I wish you were closer to me too, because I would so rather give him to a knowledgeable reptile person. People that go out and willy nilly buy reptiles for pets, especially somewhere like Michigan, don’t realize that they do need a lot of special circumstances as opposed to say "a cat". It makes me so angry.

I appreciate the feedback, and I am going to stay on as a member for my gecko A.J. So far no problems with this guy and he’s going to be 6. Great little lizard he is.

Thanks again dgmid61
d-hype



05/07/08  01:34pm

 #1728086


Littleindiangirl
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   Message To: D-hype   In reference to Message Id: 1728082


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

VIP isn’t a bad store, depending on which one you go to... I just always cringe when it comes to reptiles at pet stores. Lol, just an taught reaction. I would try to find someone yourself before you hand it over to a pet store. Even a well intentioned one...



05/07/08  01:37pm

 #1728163


D-hype
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   Message To: Littleindiangirl   In reference to Message Id: 1728086


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

Thanks littleindiangirl. I agree with the pet store idea. I am not at all thrilled at the idea. I don’t intend to hand him over to them. Besides his color is too brilliant, and I know he must of cost a pretty penny, and they will just exploit him. If he does not get more alert by tomorrow I was going to take him by there just to get him looked at.

I am glad I joined this site today, because I at least have a starting point. I am going to try to get him warmed up and by some water (I am assuming not tap water just like my lizard right?), and than if he becomes more alert, I will go buy him a couple of pinkies to see if he will eat. I have a co-worker that is willing to bring me a reptile aquarium if all goes well. I will stay in touch and let you all know how he is doing, or she I suppose.

Thanks again. I am just glad there are people out there that actually care enough.

I have much less anxiety now, than I did when I first found the little guy. Whew!

d-hype
05/07/08  03:04pm

 #1728347


Inferno14
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   Message To: D-hype   In reference to Message Id: 1728163


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

wow, i hope he makes it through. i’m actually looking for a red tail, but after what you’ve mentioned i don’t think i could take him. i mean i could, but i don’t live in MI, and so he would have to be shipped, which, in his condition if he’s really bad, i’m not sure he could take. overall, i hope that he gets better, and that you find someone responsible to take him for you! and if you can’t, and worst comes to worst, i’m always open as a last resort. ^_^ if you want to contact me, my e-mail is but remember, only as a last resort. if worst really does come to worst, i’d be glad to pay shipping if you like.

i hope he finds a nice home! good luck with him!

inferno
05/07/08  05:05pm

 #1728405


Littleindiangirl
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   Message To: D-hype   In reference to Message Id: 1727996


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

Here’s a better idea for the enclosure. I would get a sterilite tub. If he’s young and 3 ft, a 28 or 32 qt will do better. Line it with some newspaper, give him a turned over bowl as a hide and a nice dish of water. I give my snakes tap water that’s had the chlorine removed. Nothing special, just either the blue additive or letting it sit over night to evaporate.

While your at the store, if you dont have a thermometer, I would get one. An accurite, with a probe. You want his ambients to be in the low 80’s, and the hot spot of 88-90. I wouldnt go over 90.

In all, that should cost you around 15-18$ for the tub and thermometer.

Make sure the tub is secure, and it will stay much warmer than a big tank will. Just a few suggestions for you! Keep us posted!
05/07/08  05:47pm

 #1730376


D-hype
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   Message To: Littleindiangirl   In reference to Message Id: 1728405


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

I have some good news! Up until last night the boa was still very listless and non-moving. However, after getting him warmed up more, and enclosed, he was moving around much more this morning, and looked as if he actually got to the water dish. I am keeping it warm, and I am going to pick up a thermometer today.

My gracious brother who has cared for snakes and tarantulas is willing to take it, and he already gave the boa a name - Lucky - in the hopes that he is indeed a lucky snake and makes it. I am so happy that he is doing better. I still plan on watching him closely and picking him up a pinkie when he is more alert. I think he was really tramatized by everything.

You were right about the pet store, they were willing to take him off of my hands for $50, and I noticed the two boa’s they had there were $150 and $250 dollars. They were more eager to give me the $50 than tell me what I should of done to help him. That basically told me he was probably more healthy than I orginally thought. So, I quickly left the pet store without the $50.

I thank you all for your support and advice. I will keep you informed.

Thanks again,
d-hype



05/09/08  03:11pm

 #1730604


Littleindiangirl
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   Message To: D-hype   In reference to Message Id: 1730376


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

Thats wonderful news! It’s always nice to see a happy ending. (or close enough to a happy ending)
05/09/08  06:56pm

 #1730610


BekahBear
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   Message To: Littleindiangirl   In reference to Message Id: 1730604


 Help! Found Boa in a parking lot!

its good to hear that the boa seems to be doing better. i really hope he/she makes a full recovery. good for you for helping it out. i can’t believe someone just dumped him/her like that. i would love to see a picture of the little guy and i’m sure everyone else would too. do you have any that you could post?
05/09/08  07:07pm


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