Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is an ad in the local craigslist and I am wracking my brain to think what kind of parasite she is talking about that cant be treated and spread to other reptiles.
Here is the text in the ad.....Any Ideas?????

I have 2 adults cornsnakes up for re-homing. One full grown female red and orange albino. One almost full grown male red and white albino.
They are a bit on the special needs side. They are both carriers of an internal parasite that may never cause any problems. They are healthy, good eaters, very nice and beautiful. Although, with losing one of my snakes to the clinical signs I am not looking to go through it again should it happen to arise with these two (I don't expect it will since they are already full grown and eat too well). They need to go to a home without any other reptiles, as it could be passed on. It's highly unlikely that it can be transmitted to any other mammals though. If anyone is interested in taking on these guys, please get in touch with me and I can give you more details and pictures. Re-homing fee negotiable. Cage and accessories for sale also.

I really don't want to have them put down, they are too sweet.

I have no idea, but if the person knows what it actually is,...not stating what this so-called "incurable parasite" is that the snake's have is not a very responsible or good way to advertise them. This only leaves people not having any clue what they would even be up against as far as an educated decision to acquire them or not.

I guess the only way to find out since it wasn't mentioned in the ad is to contact the person and ask them exactly what they are both harboring, then go from there.

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Personally I wouldn't buy them. It sounds like the guy is too cheap to take the snakes to a vet to get treated. Most likely he is trying to use pity for the poor parasite ridden but otherwise 'healthy' snakes to encourage sales.

Writing to the seller and asking what parasite they have so you can research it, would be a good idea. If the guy doesn't know or just says he can't remember..I would definitely not buy the snakes.

Far as I know corn snakes don't carry any parasites that are incurable with proper treatment. They may always have some trace amount of parasite in their intestines which rarely cause any issue when the snake is healthy and stress free...but to be honest, I haven't heard of any. Typical parasites in corn snakes are easily treated by a vet.
-----
PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess