Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw an article in the paper today about a family in Missouri who had a ball python which went missing for a week. They had bought a DVD player as a gift, wrapped it, and sent it to New Jersey. Guess what slithered out of the box after travelling 1600 km? I hope the person who opened the package wasn't afraid of snakes I'm a little amazed it survived... Aren't most mail shipments in unpressurized aircraft holds?

Anyway, I hope the little bugger gets upgraded on the flight home...
-----
---------
0.1.0 Ball Python - Shaman
1.0.0 Green Iguana - Ike
0.0.2 Green Treefrogs - Bert, Ernie
2.2.0 Cats - Pumpkin, Furball, Pixie, Stitch
1.0.0 Cockatiel - Ozzy
0.1.0 Budgie - Tweetie
0.1.0 Betta - Isis (Donated to a nephew whose 3 year old betta just died)
1.0.1 Mice - Zeus, Orion (R.I.P. I think... Damn cats)

The snake was a present for the lady's son and the DVD player was being sent for repairs. When they recieved it they called her asking if the snake was hers and if it was her way of expressing her dissatisfaction with their service. A pet store is holding onto the snake until arangements to get him home are made.
-----
Nita Hamilton
5.9 Normal BP's
1.0 Het Orange Ghost
1.4 Humans (DH, Me and 3 daughters)

There's one thing I don't think sounds right with this news story. I had read it, but the lady who owned the snake claims she doesn't have enough money to have the snake shipped home. According to the article she owns 3 horses, rabbits, cats, and I believe a dog also. If she has enough money to take care of all of those animals, especially the horses, you'd think she could swing the cash to ship the little guy home. Just my two cents.

Catnipcutie

Thanks for the clarification, and I completely agree on the money issue. Just for curiosity's sake, how much does it generally cost to ship an an average sized ball? Not that ours is going anywhere further than the vet...
-----
---------
0.1.0 Ball Python - Shaman
1.0.0 Green Iguana - Ike
0.0.2 Green Treefrogs - Bert, Ernie
2.2.0 Cats - Pumpkin, Furball, Pixie, Stitch
1.0.0 Cockatiel - Ozzy
0.1.0 Budgie - Tweetie
0.1.0 Betta - Isis (Donated to a nephew whose 3 year old betta just died)
1.0.1 Mice - Zeus, Orion (R.I.P. I think... Damn cats)

I've paid between $25-$35 for an average sized ball...Just depends where you ship, and how much the complete box weighs. And heat packs will be needed, but those don't cost too much at all.
...if she lets the ball python roam her house, like what I've read, I don't think the owner is responsible enough to even own such an animal. We all (for the better part) know what its like for one to escape. Maybe its best if they adopt it out...just my thoughts.

I don't think they deserve to get that snake back..... better for that BP. If that snake has escaped several times and they did nothing to prevent it from escaping again after the first time, they have no business owning that snake for a pet.