DAILY ENTERPRISE (Bastrop, Louisiana) 17 November 07 Owner comes to claim found snake

The reunion of a local college student with his lost pet -- a seven a half foot boa constrictor -- proves that happy endings don't just happen in fairy tales.

The boa constrictor was found last weekend by Jack Caughley when it slithered into his yard on Elmhurst Drive. The snake may have been enticed by the delicious sight of Caughley's pet cats.

Caughley took the giant, South American serpent to Melton Veterinary Hospital for safekeeping. No one was sure where it came from, and Dr. Glenn Melton and staff were checking into possible foster homes for their elongated guest.

Fortunately, Melton alerted the Bastrop Daily Enterprise before giving the snake away. Tuesday's story and photo led to the reunion of the boa with her owner.

Said owner is Mark Faulkenberry, a freshman majoring in computer science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. His boa has lived in a cage in the backyard of his parents' home in Bastrop for close to six months without incident.

"About three weeks ago, we were leaving on vacation and I went out to feed her," Faulkenberry said.

That was the last he saw of the female Red-tailed boa constrictor until Tuesday. Given that boas are tropical animals, and the weather was cold about that time, the family had given their pet up for dead.

Faulkenberry said a friend called to tell him about the Enterprise story, and he went to re-claim his pet from Melton Hospital.

An obvious question is what the boa survived on during its brush with freedom. No small dogs or cats have been reported missing on Elmhurst Drive, where Faulkenberry and Caughley both live.

"She looks kind of skinny, but not too bad. I don't think she's eaten anything since the last time I fed her," Faulkenberry said.

The nine-year-old boa, which was born and raised in captivity, is probably used to eating the rats Faulkenberry gives it. Another escape is unlikely because Faulkenberry said he has added a heavy duty lock to the cage.

Cat owners everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief.
Owner comes to claim found snake

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