Loggers find Burmese python...in the Ozarks...

This week, a couple of guys going out to cut wood in the forest, found a very dead "14 ft" (probably closer to 12) Burmese python. Although the animal was very well preserved, it has probably been dead for months. The only animals that might have eaten on the carcass are all hibernating.

Of course all the media could do was say "glad it's dead", "wouldn't want my kids finding that", "yikes!" And the finder said he'd might make a few pair of boots from it.

Now if this were a farm and fuzzy puppy, found starving in the forest, the media would be all over that saying how cruel, and who could do such a thing, etc. And the local public would be sending donations to help the animal, and there would be dozens of people wanting to rehome the animal.

We, as snake breeders/sellers, aspiring herpetologists, or just pet keepers, need to take more responsibility on the future of our animals. If we do sell a puppy, or kitten, or horse, we want to think they'll get the best possible home, and live there forever. And the people obtaining these animals, we assume, know how to take care of them. Do we do the same for reptile owners?

Since widespread reptile ownership is a relatively new endeavor, we cannot assume the new owner knows what he or she is doing. Do they know about how big the animal will grow? Do they know what it will eat, where, when and how often? Do they know its housing requirements, especially when it comes to heating. Do they know if there is a vet that can care for it? And if they give up ownership, do they know somewhere the animal can be rehoused, properly, safely, effectively?

This python did not have to die. Or, if it did, then how about humane euthanization? Not left out in the wild, at a time of year when it would surely die, and leave a carcass that scares the local population, and gives reptiles yet another black mark against their ownership.

If you know of anyone involved in this sort of practice, you are as guilty as the owner, for negligence and cruelty, and not doing the right thing and speaking out for the animal.

Winter Woes and Reptiles

So you've got a house full of reptiles and the power goes off, due to the weather. What do you do now? You should have a back-up plan for yourselves, let along your pets! But do you?

If you live in an apartment, or rent a house, you might be at the mercy of the landlord. If you live in a rural area, you might be at the mercy of the power company, and your location on their power grid.

Either of these mean you may get power immediately, in a few hours, but in worst case scenarios, it may be days, or even weeks! If it's weeks, only a move to a new environment will help. In the case of hours, or a day, there might be other alternatives, that are safe and relatively inexpensive.

First let's look at what you're keeping. If you have amphibians, most of them can stand some cooling off. If you have snakes or turtles native to North America, they can also stand a small cooling off period. When I say "cooling off period" I mean a gradual cooling off, and a gradual return to warmth. If the power goes off, the animal's enclosure should cool naturally. If the power comes back on again, the animals will be getting an abrupt return to warmth. This should be avoided, in my opinion. If the heat goes off, for several hours, turn off the bulbs and/or heat pads under the animals. When it comes back on again, warm up the house, and after an hour or so, put the heat pads, etc back on.

If you have tropical animals, you're best to put them in some sort of styrofoam enclosure to keep their temperatures somewhat constant. Or, you can keep them wrapped around your body, preferably confined in enclosures (such as snake bags.) You can use those little hand-warming heat packs that are available at some stores, BUT you do NOT want to keep them in a tightly closed space, such as a styrofoam box, as they use up the oxygen in that space, and so can suffocate the animal.

If the power stays off long enough, you may have to take your animals to a motel or other safe place, with guaranteed heat, to keep them warm. Of course you do NOT want to feed anything while the weather and indoor temps are questionable. A week without food should have no deleterious effects.

Do NOT place lit candles in their enclosures. I have heard of this being done and this is definitely NOT a good idea, under any circumstances.

These thoughts come after we got a call from some people who's pet alligator got cold during a recent winter storm. Alligators can and do hibernate in the wild, so a small cold snap should have no bad effect on this animal. Again, a gradual cooling (as in the case of a power outtage) and the gradual warming up of this animal should have no long term effects.

When the temperatures and weather stabillize with your reptile collection then you can continue your feeding schedule, and enjoy your critters.

Know your limitations!

Recently, in Tennessee, there was a death from a copperhead bite. Very unusual, as copperheads are not thought to be deadly, but never say never. The person involved went into anaphylactic shock (allergic reaction) and that was that. Usually people know if they have such allergies, and carry an epinephrin pen (epi-pen) with them. Obviously this poor fellow didn't know that, until it was too late.

But that's not the issue I want to talk about. From reports I read, this person was fairly new to venomous snakes, and had already been bitten before. One time is too many; twice, and you might think of another hobby! Unless you are in the business of milking for venom research, or some such occupation. Even then, you do not anticipate, nor want to get bit. It can be a very painful, and expensive lesson, and in this fellow's case, deadly.

There are scads of tools available for the handling of venomous snakes. Just because you see someone "free-handling" an animal, doesn't mean anyone and everyone could do it if careful. You can never be TOO careful. There are many good herpers out there, who have venomous snakes, who have never been bitten. Most likely they don't do any extra "handling" of their animals either. Again, know your limitations!

And not a day later...

...we get yet another call asking if we'll take another tortoise off someone's hands!

It's a Russian tortoise, came from Petsmart. I have to admit the tortoises we've seen at Petsmart have looked good and appear to be well taken care of, but I never thought they'd all end up at our place!

Same old story...bought it for the kid. Kid got disinterested. Parents are too busy to take care of it for him, so...

I guess I should be happy, for the tortoise, that it's getting a loving home with proper care, rather than being put outside to fend for itself. That happens to a lot of reptiles, in the summertime. I guess people assume that the animal will figure out what to do when the weather gets bad.

Right???

Got a gator? Want another?

Sheesh...

We've become the official drop-off for all those unwanted alligators that seem to find themselves in SW Missouri. The latest casualty came via a truck that was bought in Louisiana. The people that "delivered" the truck told the new owners that they "left them a gift in the cab."

Turns out it was a baby alligator, looks to be a hatchling. The new truck owners kept it in their garage until they could find a new (and obviously better) home for it. They called the zoo, who called us, apologetically, as they don't need any more mouths to feed either.

We now have 4 alligators that we are housing.

But this isn't the only problem we face. We also took in five (5) tortoises this year. The usual problem...they grew too big, they eat too much. the kids aren't interested in them any more.

Granted, the tortoises are not as much of a problem as the alligators, as they are not as potentially dangerous, BUT they're living, breathing animals who deserve a better life than to just be another disposable pet.

We love reptiles. We love ALL reptiles. We would not have many of these reptiles, as we KNOW the amount of food, shelter, care they require, for a very long time!!!

Let's try to be responsible breeders, dealers, and owners of these animals we purport to cherish. Or I'll give you my PayPal account and you can start making healthy contributions to ease your conscience, as you reflect on the last oversized, or unwanted, reptile you dumped on someone you thought could take care of it because that's what they "want" to do!