UNION-DEMOCRAT (Sonora, California) 01 February 07 Python winds its way into animal shelter (Amy Lindblom)
Betsy the 10-foot Burmese python needs a bigger home.
The hefty snake is temporarily living at the Tuolumne County Animal Control shelter in Jamestown. The snake, about as big around as a child's thigh, was brought there by Animal Control officers who picked it up from a woman who didn't want it — that is, was left behind when a now-ex-boyfriend left her.
And the woman had no idea how to care for it. It had gone a month without a meal and about four days without water before it was taken away, Animal Control Manager Jennifer Clarke said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Clarke reported the snake's original owner has contacted her and claims he sold the snake to the woman's ex. He is upset that the snake he raised was not properly taken care of and that he wants it back.
"We're investigating," Clarke said.
Clarke said snakes kept as pets periodically end up at the shelter but that Betsy is by far the largest one she and the shelter staff have seen there.
Betsy weighs 40 pounds and is said to be accustomed to rabbits and a bath once a week.
After learning that, Clarke said workers moved several rabbits up for adoption out of the room where Betsy is caged.
"She was definitely smelling them," Clarke said.
While shelter staff members know about caring for fur-bearing animals, they quickly realized they were out of their league when it came to Betsy. So Clarke called Debbie Veysey, who runs Reptile Rescue in Sonora. Veysey has about 40 reptiles now at her home and offers free advice on care for snakes, lizards, turtles, iguanas and any other reptiles.
Earlier this week, Veysey saw Betsy for the first time and fed the snake a defrosted black rat. Veysey raises rats to give to snakes, she said. On Wednesday, Veysey returned with another rat. But with an audience watching, Betsy shied away from taking the food, and left it for later.
Veysey in turn gave the snake a more thorough going over. Veysey noticed Betsy had mites. She also offered an important observation as Betsy snaked her way toward the empty rabbit cages.
"Betsy might be Bob," Veysey said. "She has very large spurs."
Veysey said Betsy — or Bob — needs a bigger cage. Screens on top of the 5-foot long coffin-shaped cage was pushed upward in several places where it was obvious the snake had tried to get out.
Veysey said pythons can grow to be 20 feet long and weigh as much as 200 pounds.
Before she left, Veysey recommended that at least two people handle the snake at any given time because, well, she or he is a constrictor type of snake and as such could easily wrap around an adult and constrict air.
If ownership of Betsy/Bob is not confirmed, he/she could be put up for adoption.
Anyone interested in adopting the snake, Clarke added, will be screened to ensure they know how to care for a snake like Betsy or Bob.
Python winds its way into animal shelter