Boa constrictor found in bushes..

Kayleigh · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 09:38 PM

This snake was found in bushes by the side of the road.

BBC - Boa constrictor found in bushes

ViperaBerus · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 10:04 PM

That's nothing. You should see some of the escapees I've been called out to

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Kim believes that the snake probably escaped from a good owner because it looked like it was in good health before it died.

I know what Kim is saying, but that really does sound daft.

Burko · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 09:44 AM

"It escaped from a good owner"

Not that good then.

ViperaBerus · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 10:31 AM

It's pretty common for people who have snakes and then find they cannot afford them to kill them or let them go alive. Those keepers that have no gardens to bury them just dump them in some local undergrowth. It could have been a live release killed by the cold, or a dumped body. In thise age of belt tightening, it's a sad fact that these things are becoming more and more common. Last year I picked up more hard releases than any previous year, and I bet this year will be even greater.

STYRBJORN · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 10:40 AM

And it wasn't even black!!!!!

ViperaBerus · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STYRBJORN

And it wasn't even black!!!!!

Whenever I speak to the person that saw the snake, they always say it was black. 90% of all those callouts usually have a 'black mamba' sighting

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViperaBerus

It's pretty common for people who have snakes and then find they cannot afford them to kill them or let them go alive. Those keepers that have no gardens to bury them just dump them in some local undergrowth. It could have been a live release killed by the cold, or a dumped body. In thise age of belt tightening, it's a sad fact that these things are becoming more and more common. Last year I picked up more hard releases than any previous year, and I bet this year will be even greater.

This is what I thought..they could no longer afford to keep it...
Not a really a good home then if its been dumped.
How much does it cost to keep a snake like this after the initial outlay of the accommodation uv lights ect..
do they just live on mice and chicks..

STYRBJORN · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 12:06 PM

[quote=Kayleigh;731696]

Quote:

do they just live on mice and chicks

And urban foxes bent on sneaking upstairs and attacking children. And big black cats.

ViperaBerus · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

This is what I thought..they could no longer afford to keep it...
Not a really a good home then if its been dumped.
How much does it cost to keep a snake like this after the initial outlay of the accommodation uv lights ect..
do they just live on mice and chicks..

Mice, rats etc. Plus electricity for lights and heating. Not overly expensive at all, but people don't get attached to reptiles as much as fluffy animals, mainly due to their inactivity. People get bored of them very quickly once the novelty has worn off.