Help! Snake sitting some unfamiliar species

Oh my gosh, a YEAR AND A HALF AGO?? That’s crazy! Gives me hope for my escapee from this Fall.

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A year and a half, Kenyan sand boa in a basement in MN over multiple winters where we’ve had insane cold temps. The fact that she’s not only still alive, but actually in salvageable shape is absolutely bonkers. I told my friend, never give up, they’re hardy and will pop up when you least expect them, so hopefully you have something similar happen!

She made it through the night, making plans to pick her up tomorrow and start some intense TLC to get her healthy again. I’ve got some experience, one of my rescue corns, Ducky, was missing in a house for 6 months before he was found again and posted on CL. That said, 6 months versus 18 months is a big difference, so I’ll be taking things much slower.

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Wow! I am just blown away about the little lost sand boa! The little guy is one tough cookie! But a year and a half is NUTS! lol!

Actually I was thinking along the same line with @d_y_python. However I totally understand your constraints. I don’t really have a ton of room myself, and my husband is, well let’s just say, less than pleased with my reptile hobby/collection! Lol!

But I am going to take the liberty to say that I bet you will miss your boarders when they are gone, wherever that may be.

You are a jewel! :blush::wink::lizard::frog::snake:

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She’s here…And she’s in incredible shape for how long she was missing and where she was found. I really thought she’d be much worse off but she’s not even that thin. A couple of healed wounds, but nothing fresh nor major. 18 months on the lam and looking like it was 18 days.


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She’s beautiful! She looks insanely good for a snake that’s been on the loose for that long. So glad she was found and can now receive the care she needs. Crazy story! I’m always surprised and impressed by just how hardy many of these animals are. The circumstances and conditions they can survive never cease to amaze me.

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Thankfully their house is old and has a known rodent problem, she was likely able to hunt enough to sustain herself. Apparently two dead mice were also found nearby. I doubt she’ll even need much care, aside getting back to being fed/watered regularly. I did suggest she see a vet for a stool sample and testing at some point, since she was possibly surviving on wild rodents and it’s best to get parasites treated as soon as possible.

I’m just so surprised she’s this unfazed. I told my friend there’s nothing to worry about, she’s in that good of shape. Took a f/t pinky no problem tonight, too.

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That’s awesome! I agree that a fecal test is a good idea, especially since she could have been snacking on quite a few mice in that time, and who knows what was living inside them. Though I bet this is probably the first time anyone has thought, “Phew, thank goodness we have a rodent problem!” :joy:

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Sometimes a few spare rodents are handy, haha. Right now the plan is to get some weight on her before any vet trip, I want her system robust enough to handle medication if she requires it. I’ve got her all set up in an escape-proof enclosure right in front of a heat source (monitored) and she’s buried herself deep in the Aspen on the warm side, basking.

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Holy Cow! I just wonder what she was eating? She looks wonderful! Animals are amazing aren’t they! I am SO glad she is with you!

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Aaaaawwwww! Bless her little sand boa heart!

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That’s hilarious! :joy: and very accurate. What a crazy story! It makes me really happy.

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Been busy around here, but I managed to grab another round of weights. Everyone is on track and gaining well. Did the math on Ms. Morelia and she’s added about 2g of weight for every day she’s been here. Two of the KSBs are in blue, and the one who was missing for 18 months put on 7g since the last weigh in.

All in all, I’d say I’m not doing too badly.

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Not bad by any means Jess :wink:

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Wow! That’s amazing! You would make a great reptile rehabber! It takes diligence to care for compromised little creatures, not to mention a lot of love and compassion. Good for you dear one! :lizard::frog::snake::blush::wink:

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Thank you guys, it’s a work in progress, lol. I did finally get tagged by little Ms. Wobbly Garbage Disposal, though considering the amount of feeding behaviour she was showing, I probably should have figured out before now she needed to move up a feeder size. Gave her a small rat today and she took it down no problem, so hopefully more calories and handling means less trying to eat me.

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Well, I did a dumb thing and forgot to turn off one of the lamps in Ms. Morelia’s enclosure and put in a humid hide. This led to stuck shed on the last 1/3 of her body. Was quite nervous about trying to get her out, into a soak, and help peel the remainder off. She did try to get me a couple of times (no hits, thankfully), but once she was in hand, she calmed down very quickly. Didn’t end up being the biggest fan of the soak, but she did allow me to carefully help get the rest of the stuck skin off without much protest.

I think we’re finally starting to build a bit of a rapport as she gains weight. I haven’t been peed on in a while, though she does try to musk on me still. Slow, steady progress is much better than the dread I used to feel opening her enclosure. As for the rest of the gang, I’m moving the KSBs up to larger prey items. Vivi (missing 18mo) is now capable of handling small mice and loving the pampering. I’ll occasionally find her at the top of the bin just chilling in the groove for the lid. In a couple of days I’ll try to get new weights on everyone.

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Wow! What tender loving care those guys are getting! That’s so sweet and wonderful! They have been with you for quite a while now……. :blush:

Just sayin……… :thinking::face_with_peeking_eye:

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To be honest, while I’m still not sure I’ll ever own a python, I will say the KSBs are kind of growing on me. Obviously they’re not really display animals, being fossorial and all, but they’ve got personality.

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I agree with you! If you decided to keep the sand boas it would be easier than the python. I love my little sb! :heart::snake::frog::lizard::blush:

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They’re not mine to keep, but if I was asked I would totally consider it.

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