Minor addendum - the last EDB we took in that fit that description was just north of Deland and our vet confirmed a diagnosis of pentastomids. The prognosis isn't good in cases like that, but we are experimenting with ivermectin and levamisole and at least the animal (which is in very strict quarantine!) is now eating voluntarily and seems to have a reduced parasite load. If we successfully treat this animal it will be written up, but pentastomids are amazingly tough buggers to shift.



Relocating animals too far from their capture site is not a good idea for most species. The mortality rate tends to be very high unless the snake is returned very close to the capture site. Don't just kick it out some miles down the road; you won't be doing the snake any favors and you might be doing a major disservice to the other snakes in that area if this snake does indeed have a transmissible pathogen.

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