DAILY MINER AND NEWS (Kenora, Ontario) 18 April 06 Abandoned corn snake fitting in and filling out - A pet snake found abandoned in Kenora last month is doing quite well thanks to its new owner and the generosity of several local residents.(Dan Gauthier)
A pet snake found abandoned in Kenora last month is doing quite well thanks to its new owner and the generosity of several local residents.
Kenora snake enthusiast Brent Harvie, who adopted the one-metre-long candy cane corn snake after Kenora Police animal control officers seized it from a Kenora residence on March 21, said the dehydrated and hungry snake has since made a full recovery.
“He’s getting healthier and he’s more friendly now,” said Harvie, noting they have not yet been able to determine the sex of the friendly young corn snake – although he thinks its a male.
“Whoever comes here has no problem handling him. He’s used to people.”
The hungry snake ate three frozen feed mice when Harvie first received it. He said it hasn’t eaten since, but is not concerned because they usually only eat one mouse at a time, and can go for a long time between meals.
“That’s why I’m not worried about him,” said Harvie. “He’s already filled out in body mass.”
There has been a lot of publicity surrounding the abandoned snake with the initial story in the March 28 edition of the Daily Miner and News, as well as further coverage in the Winnipeg Sun and even some international wire news services. This has all been a bit of a shock for Harvie, who is surprised at all the attention it attracted.
“Everyone knows (about the snake) now in eastern Ontario, where I came from,” said Harvie, who recently moved back to Kenora.
Another positive effect of all the publicity was that a plea from Harvie for the proper equipment to care for the snake was quickly answered. He said the day the story ran in Kenora, several people called and donated the needed items.
The snake, which was found in a smaller wire mesh cage, now has a large new glass aquarium-type enclosure, a heating lamp and a heating rock. Harvie said the glass enclosure and heat sources keeps the snake in the warmer environment it requires and provides more room to move around.
As a result, Harvie thanked all those who donated and those who offered help. With so many offers, he had to decline many of them once he had the equipment needed.
“Even people who hated snakes took an interest in the story,” said Harvie. “A lot more people wanted to help.”
Abandoned corn snake fitting in and filling out