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The emaciated boa has shed (pics)

LauraV Jul 20, 2004 09:30 PM

But I am still not sure exactly what he is. He seems to have way too much tail color for a hypo (at least those I've seen). Could he be a firebelly? During our photo shoot it looked like he had a green hue on occation. I am seeking fresh opinions now that he has shed out. He is pretty scarred from live rats (I predume that is why he is scarred). He has not eaten yet, refusing both f/t and live. You can view all his pics at this link http://www.picturetrail.com/starlight_specialties (hypo male album)if seeing him at even more angles will help. Thank you for your thoughts.

Puffed up in the water he almost looks healthy.

After the bath:

Still dehydrated and retaining some shed around face/upper neck. I was able to remove one of the eye caps. he sort of looks like a cobra.






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Replies (9)

LauraV Jul 20, 2004 09:54 PM

I purchased this female as a Honduran Firebelly last year. I no longer have her, but she resembles him as well, as much as she can being only a juvie to his 6 feet. Is he firebelly (or similar)? Is he hypo? Is he both? If he is hypo - is it only in the sense of reduced black or might he be co-dom (for lack of a better word)?



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robertmcphee Jul 20, 2004 11:22 PM

np

LauraV Jul 20, 2004 11:35 PM

He may be thin and weak, but he can still strike out far when he puts his mind to it. He was pretty tired after the bath, but I wansn't going to take any chances. I don't like to bleed.

My daughter is handling the younger snake - I usually always have her wear gloves.
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robertmcphee Jul 20, 2004 11:41 PM

I think that he definitely has some central american influence in him. FIrebelly? Im not sure, Im afraid Im not experienced enough to make a 100% identity. I will say that after you get him eating and shedding properly he will look very nice. The only thing that I dont fully understand is the fact that he is six foot long? I think you said that. If that is the case then that would rule him out as being a firebelly as far as I know, I could be wrong. All of the Nics/central american boas I have now the males are rarely over 4 foot long. Goood luck with him. With a little T.L.C. Im sure he will bounce back.

Thanks
Bob

bahreptiles Jul 21, 2004 07:23 AM

those are great looking snakes laura. maybe not hypo.....but nice as hell... i think hypo. imo. look at the colors. freaking great.
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IF YOU HAVE IT SHOW IT. IF YOU OWN IT FLAUNT IT!!

CCS Jul 21, 2004 01:20 AM

Hi Laura,

He is definately a hypo, with nice color to boot, he looks like he has some Central American/Nicaraguan influence in him. I hope he pulls through for you.

Chris

BLAZEBOAS Jul 21, 2004 05:26 AM

Sorry laura but its not a firebelly looks like just a hypo but he definatly looks like he'll be a smoker when you get him back in shape i wouldnt wait to long though before getting him to a vet there may be something seriously wrong with him if he's that skinny and he's refuseing food jmho
john peraza

LauraV Jul 21, 2004 08:11 AM

Of course, he told me he was emaciated and dehydrated...he injected a bit under the skin...tried for a fecal wash, but nothing much came out to work with...so, we are waiting for stool sample. I force fed him a weanling rat...I hate doing that, but we simply must have a stool sample...I have not seen any evidence that he regurged it, so I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival from the other end. Of course, it will be only a tiny little poo...
My fear is that he will perish and I will have lost $550 on him, the vet bills...only to get $75 refunded to me in a couple of weeks if he doesn't eat...something is wrong with this picture...I couldn't have sent him back if I wanted too...the seller had my money spent before I even got the animal...How could he have me pay that much and send me a half dead snake??? Sorry, I'm still steamed about it all. Not to mention what he put the poor snake through. Grr....
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lucille Jul 21, 2004 04:44 PM

The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act allows you to recover up to three times the amount of damages PLUS attorney's fees, email if you want more info.
I wouldn't take $75, I'd go for the $1500......

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