Thinking of stealing a critter

[pathfinder36]

Well, a friend of mine has a 2.5 year old boa. She is a BEAUTIFUL Colombian hypo that's been seriously neglected. He was feeding her live mice her entire life, and is only about 45in long because of this. She has had mites her entire life. She's about 4 sizes to big for her cage. He doesn't have any reasonable source of humidity, so she's always incredibly dry. He doesn't have a thermostat, just a #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&-poor heat lamp that he unplugs at night because the light bothers him. She almost never has water. For Christmas last year, I got him a can of repel and a bag of rat pups. I gave him some ideas on how to regulate heat while saving the wallet, increase humidity and gave him links to boaphileplastics for some enclosure ideas. This was all fine and dandy, but this guys roommate just told me some more disturbing news. She has another mite infestation and is making "strange breathing noises". She is leaving her head cocked back with her mouth open and wheezing(RI). Taking all this into consideration, I'm thinking of offering him some money for her. I know he wouldn't just give her away, but he's going to kill her sooner or later. It's kinda frustrating actually. I spent the better part of two weeks educating this guy on some basic husbandry and feeding needs. I even logged him in here... unfortunately he's never logged on even once on his own. If he refuses to start taking care of this boa, I'm going to forcibly insert that heat lamp where the sun don't shine and walk out with his critter.

Grrr...

	Hypomelanistic Hypomelanistic - a genetic reduction in the dark pigment Melanin.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[CARLiTO_]

call the humane society if he doesn't agree to give u the snake.

[SoberGuy]

I'm always ready to help ya out.... Can't really offer the way I'd like to help in a family forum.....

That's just too bad that people can be like that. Do what ya gotta do to get that thing into some proper hands. Best of luck, and keep us informed!

[pathfinder36]

It's even more frustraiting that this guy is a buddy of mine...

[Flatliner]

Have you had a serious talk with him? You might need to sethiem down and explain to himw hat he is doign wrong and that its going to end up killing the snake.

[challenger]

Make up a story about needing the snake for a demonstration or comparison or something. I'm sure you can come up-w-some excuse so he will lend you the snake. If not then just take it and get it healthy and keep it. That is if it is not too far gone. If he gives you a hassletake your first three fingers and jab his windpipe real hard. This will allow you to eacape-w-said reptile and he will recover. Good luck and get to it.

[SoberGuy]

Yeah, a buddy of mine has 3 snakes (stimson's python, milk, and corn) and a tarantula and some assorted lizards. He doesn't have a single thermometer, not even a cheapy one. It kills me. He says eveything's fine and just won't do anything any different. Only thing is, he's got a rather nice collection of firearms, or I'd just go take everything. Friend or not, I'd rather have things properly taken care of.

[Kent K25]

Too bad I'm not down in the Valley for this summer Chris or I'd come help ya convince the guy or be your accomplice when ya steal it!

Good luck bro.

[pathfinder36]

Thanks you guys. I can see it now... Chris and about 50 members of RTB.net storm this guys house all Special Ops style to get a snake. LOL

I'll see what I can do.

[SoberGuy]

Only 50? :P

[Flatliner]

Hey i can get some marines to come over..lol

[pathfinder36]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

Hey i can get some marines to come over..lol

Hehe... I got some of those connections myself. I'm hoping that he'll just give me the boa. I'm sure he realizes that he isn't taking good care of her.