Outside of a WC years ago (lasted 5 weeks) and a neonate that came in with issues (lasted 2.5 weeks), I have never lost an snake. I guess it was bound to happen.

This male I've had since 09/29/05, so it is a harder loss to face than the other 2. This male was nasty mean, but I had a soft spot for him.

I purchased this male for a "normal" price from a jungle litter produced by All Boas, and truly believed he would prove to be a low-expression jungle. This was the first real time I believed I actually "lucked out." I think this lucking out further strengthed my bond with him. Not only that, I knew with a boa like Bianca for a mother, he would end up with amazing color. He was my little golden boy, my diamond in the rough.

He just ate on the 5th, and showed no signs of distress of any kind. He moved away from his traditional basking spot and I saw him drinking water yesterday...all seemed fine. Last night I saw that he was laying next to his water bowl. This was different, though not alarming, by any means.

This morning when I went in to turn the lights on in the snake room, I noticed he was still in the same spot and the newspaper was damp. I assumed he he took a soak (water level very low in bowl) and crawled out. I was too tired still to think much more about it because I hadn't slept well, as it was too hot last night.

Come noon I made another trip around the room to check on everyone. I noticed he was still in the same spot next to the water bowl, in fact I realized he hadn't moved at all since last night.

I tapped the glass hoping for a tongue flicker or movement of some kind. Nothing. Now I began to worry, though honestly felt he would move when I removed the top, so it still didn't hit me.

But, he didn't move and dread filled my heart. I knew he was dead. But, he looked so alive. I put on a glove, just in case he was alive, as he is temperamental, but his body was cool. I have to assume he passed last night. No sign of discomfort on his part. It is like he passed away instantly, for no reason.

I was actually able to touch him, to hold him in my hands with out a barrier. So I did. I carried him around a bit, wrapped around my hand. Kind of pathetic, eh?

Then I coiled him and put him in a baggie, still amazed how alive and beautiful he looked and put him in the freezer until I could get a necropsy done on him. I check on my animals several times a day and night. He was not ill and did not have any death throes. His passing is a quiet mystery, and he is much mourned.




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Rest In Peace my golden boy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

05/26/2005 The first pic I saw of him and new he was special:


09/29/05 In shed - right out of the box after arrival


10/06/05 After shed out:



10/12/05:


10/26/05 Comparison shot with him and a VERY nice Dave Lee girl, you can still see how much more he stood out:


11/11/05:


01/23/06:



03/11/06 - Final Photo Shoot





Thank you Gray for selling him to me. He was the jewel of my collection.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

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