Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So last night I went out with couple buddies for a bachelor party for my best friend. One of the young guys that works for my friend lives across town so we head out to drop him off around 1AM.
I ask to use his bathroom, while im walking towards the door I see a tank and a heat lamp. I think "cool a snake lets see what this dude has". Oh man.....I look in the 30 gal tank to see a retic in horrible condition. He tells me it's about 1 year old. This thing is about the size of a 3 yr old corn snake. All kinds of stuck shed, skin is all folded up and wrinkled, way underweight (obviously at 1yr and 4ft long) and it's upper lip if half gone.
I gave him soo much grief that he almost looked like he was gonna punch me. I grilled him quite a bit and everyone in the house said "do you want him", "you can have him?" I said no but all night on the drive home I thought about this snake. I feel like it's my duty to do something. I was bragging to the group earlier in the night how I had just successfully bred my first snakes in captivity and that im into snakes, so they know im into it, I think they thought I was like a snake doctor or something. I told them I cant afford any vet bills which is true, but I was thinking in the back of my head "no matter what he would be better off with me". Im sure I could treat the wound, get the stuck shed off and fatten him up. Beyond that I don't want to own a retic. I wonder if there ios anyone on this forum from the San Diego area that would be willing to help him out at some point after I got him stabilized and happy. I had another thought. I have seen and heard stories in the paST about retics and burms that had been through this type of situation, where people had rescued them and due to their long period of neglect they had never grown to a full potential but eventually become healthy and happy captives. Maybe if he would stay sorta small I could accomodate him. Let me just say that I do understand what keeping a retic requires and entails. I have been reading this forum for a long time and have been in the hobby for quite awhile. I have kept all sorts of stuff, and this year bred a pair of adult eastern indigos (pics). Just don't assume im some kid without a clue. Im smart enough to know a full grown normal retic is not the type of snake I want to own, but also responsible enough to feel like I was probably meant to see what I saw and do something for him.

Any suggestions...thoughts, experiences, comments...

What i wold do is take the snake, and try to bring it back up to health. Its not going do any better in his care. You already said you dont want to own an adult retic so once its better and starting to put on some weight, try to place it in a good home..
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-echo-

No doubt in my mind you should go get the snake from him. You obviously have a brain and your freidn does not so help the poor snake out. You're right, he most likely will not ever reach full retic size. Once you've got him in better shape and eating you'll be able to see where he goes. I'm sure you can find a home for him at some point.

Beautiful indigos! That's one I've wanted for quite some time. Stunning!

Anyway, I agree with the other posters to just take the retic start on getting it back to good health. I've occasionally seen photos of rescued snakes showing the remarkable recovery they make when they finally get into the hands of someone who cares and is knowledgeable. So perhaps when you get the snake you could post a few pictures here, and then take more as the healing progresses.

Good luck!

Regards,

Bill