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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...

Awww sorry about your loss
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1.1 Columbian red tails (Zeus, Athena)
1.1 Corn snakes (Appolo, Boreas)
0.1 King snake tri striped cal morph (Helios)

but wasn't up to it.

I meant "knew" not "new" on the first pic and there are probably other flubs.

My apologies. I am a little morose right now...and if we had any moores nearby I would be brooding there.

Within a week my CBLT should release her litter...I'm sure that would help to raise my spirits.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

It always sucks losing an animal, especially when it's one that's special.
Chuck

reading your post reminded me of how I felt once, when I lost one of mine.....a sweet little boy who looked like he was just laying there peacefully...but he was gone. It was the first time I was truly aware of how attached I am to my boas. I cried over him and grieved for a long time afterward.....

Some people might say "just a snake", but he brought me so much joy and I dearly loved his little reptilian heart
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

now. I didn't think I would care this much. It's not like they are a cuddlely, adoring, puppy that would give his life to keep you from harm, that warms your bed, and loves you into feeling better when you are down.

On the emotional side, I do not have very many boas anymore, so the few I do have are even more precious to me. In fact, most of the ones I have left are each special for their type, and not replaceable in any way.

It made it even harder to forget him because the way my cages are set up, he is the very first one when I enter the room. So, my eyes automatically go to his now empty cage first. I have to go in frequently because I have a female ready to deliver.

On the business side of things, he left a hole in my breeding program that I can not afford to fill. I truly believed he was a low expression jungle, which I lucked into (this type of luck has never happened to me before...I am just not that lucky), and certainly don't have 3-4k to purchase another. So, it was devistating in this way too.

I hope it doesn't sound too cold thinking about more than just the emotional side, but they both effect me, although in different ways.

I can't even imagine the loss of a boa I've had for years.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

....I was just alerted to your post by a student of mine. I share your sadness although you certainly developed a stronger bond with the time you spent with him. That litter was very special to me and my personal favorite of the litters born here last year. All my boas are special to me but Bianca has long sat at the throne as queen in my mind. She came down with serious RI during her pregnancy last year and I made the difficult decision to treat her while she was gravid. I nearly had an anxiety attack the first time I pulled her swollen body out of her cage and delivered meds by injection. Ultimately, I came to enjoy this time because I saw her swiftly improve and it was amazing to feel her swollen body so closely and know that baby boas were developing in her. I was still worried to the end that the meds would negatively affect the developing babies but she and the babies did great. I felt an unbelievable relief when I woke up that morning and saw healthy babies in that cage. In fact, those babies were the largest of any litter and are still well ahead of the pack compared to my other 05 babies. Not only are they the largest but they have that tall, muscular form that is so awesome to see in a boa. I only sold 2 babies from that litter and kept the remaining 10. They have been an awesome group to raise. I have been working to re-photograph them and share them on this forum. I'm sorry for that loss. This year I decided to breed my best male "normal" to Bianca and produce the best possible normals that I could. I think that she is so unique that I wanted to have many Biancas to raise up as core breeding stock for many projects. Ironically, the breeding season brought on another RI.....this time earlier in the process. I finished treatments last week and she is doing great. I expect her to ovulate at any time. With good fortune, I will get another litter of special animals and will be able to get Bianca blood back into your collection.
gray

I was too distraught to even check back in yesterday. Reminders were too painful, especially since everytime I go into the Boid Room, his was the first cage when I walked in. I have a female due any day, so had to make more trips in than usual, and everytime my eyes swung left to look into his cage. It's gotten easier today...well, at least I haven't cried today.

Seems like you went through a lot to see his litter born. Glad Biance pulled through fine. She would have been a hard loss.

I knew you had released only two babies, which hurt more because I couldn't replace him. So, I can't wait to see her next litter. I have my dibs on a clean colorful female.

All my best,
Laura
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

He was a very beautiful snake. Hope you find out what happened to the little guy. I'm very sorry.
Michael Burton

responded.

It is certainly hard to cope with. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a boa that you love...you just don't know what you're going to feel until it happens for the first time.

All my best,
Laura
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...