To rescue or not to rescue...

Ch^4 · 11-30-10, 07:05 PM

I recently became aware of a 6 foot JCP in dire need of new living conditions. The current owner, who I can tell loves him dearly, has been unable to provide proper living conditions and describes his current housing arrangement as "squished." I am assuming she did not realize he would grow that large and likely has him in a 30-40 gallon tank (poor guy

).

She no longer has the time to care for him and wants to get a smaller snake for reasons I will leave unmentioned.

Obviously I am torn, as I hate to hear/see snakes that have poor living conditions. Right now I am leaning towards adopting him, but am trying to figure out caging and spatial arrangements.

Apparently he has become slightly aggressive, due to lack of handling. Prior to this lapse in handling, she said that she'd take him in public with no problems whatsoever.

He is about 4 years old and I am wondering if I will be able to get him to tolerate me with persistent, yet gentle handling, and by offering him a nice, spacious living arrangement? I think I am going to see him tomorrow, but I thought I'd ask the aforementioned question (even though I will likely adopt him as soon as I get him a cage in the next week or two!).

My girlfriend is a little wary, as this will be the largest snake she's ever been in contact with and does not want to get tagged by him. Sorry for the winded post and thanks in advance for your opinion!

BTW, he is very handsome--pictures will come as soon as possible...

infernalis · 11-30-10, 07:10 PM

Most all snakes calm down in time with proper care.

Our BP was in horrible squalor when I chose to take him in.

He adjusted and does wonderfully now.

Ch^4 · 11-30-10, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Most all snakes calm down in time with proper care.

Our BP was in horrible squalor when I chose to take him in.

He adjusted and does wonderfully now.

Thanks infernalis, and what a dangerous vocabulary you have!

Freebody · 11-30-10, 07:57 PM

im sure once he is not so stressed out by the fact his living conditions are way to small, that alone will make the biggest difference, and like stated, some gentle handling and im sure he will come around

TylerWortman · 12-01-10, 12:17 AM

yeah I had to look squalor up in my dictionary. Gotta love my Mac!

infernalis · 12-01-10, 12:23 AM

Sorry guys, I have been around as long as dirt.....

Ch^4 · 12-01-10, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Sorry guys, I have been around as long as dirt.....

No apologies necessary. The dissemination of information via an elegant and intellectually stimulating pathway is a wonderful thing!

I'm an academic, albeit an enganeer (I'm only good with numbers

), so I appreciate a vast vocabulary. I'm sure that most here will agree that your peculiar chose of words is well received! (Especially us "younger folk.")

presspirate · 12-01-10, 04:46 AM

He'll adjust to you sure. You may want to wear a pair of gloves, or use a hook until you are comfortable with one another. As for should you or should you not rescue him, that depends on if you will be able to provide proper care for him. I see numerous snake on CL every week that should be rescued from owners that are not able to, or do not have the knowledge to provide proper care, but I just do not have the money to insure that they and my family are equally comfortable.

Nafun · 12-01-10, 04:54 AM

I adopted a BP that puffed and hissed if you touched her. Now she's my best behaved and most social snake.

Also, a 40 gallon doesn't seem that small for a 6 foot jcp to me. Mine is in an enclosure about 50 gallons (4'L x 2'H x 1'D) and she has plenty of room to climb and play. Jungles are very thin snakes.

Will0W783 · 12-01-10, 09:34 AM

JCPs usually calm down with gentle, persistent work. Just wear gloves and hook him to remove him from the cage until he gets used to you and stops defending himself. Also, he may be a completely different snake in a properly sized enclosure. I've seen snakes that were vicious and defensive in too large or too small enclosures and became docile, curious, and placid once placed in a proper environment. As long as you can house him properly, I'd say go for it.

Ch^4 · 12-01-10, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nafun

I adopted a BP that puffed and hissed if you touched her. Now she's my best behaved and most social snake.

Also, a 40 gallon doesn't seem that small for a 6 foot jcp to me. Mine is in an enclosure about 50 gallons (4'L x 2'H x 1'D) and she has plenty of room to climb and play. Jungles are very thin snakes.

Nafun, I was taking a stab in the dark; she hasn't told me how big his enclosure is, but I was assuming it was a 30-40 gallon. It could be bigger, or it could be smaller.

Presspirate, my snakes are my children/family, and all of them are equally spoiled!

Willow, thanks for the tips; I have yet to observe his behavior, so she may be exaggerating in stating that he is aggressive. Nonetheless, gloves and a hook are likely the safest way to go.

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to see him today (hopefully!).

Will0W783 · 12-01-10, 03:00 PM

It's quite possible that she is exaggerating..I've had a few people give me snakes that were "horribly aggressive and just mean" and they were just active, curious snakes. I have a female diamond/jungle intergrade who was supposed to be very cage aggressive, but I've never seen it from her. I open the door and she comes out onto me on her own. Most of the times, the snakes react to our behavior, and if you move quickly or make the animal feel trapped and exposed, then you're going to get a defensive response.

infernalis · 12-03-10, 12:56 PM

I too have seen that. Improper handling, or one tag and the owner becomes afraid of the snake, then it just gets ugly from there.

Never let your snakes know if you are scared, they can tell, and if you are afraid of them, they will "take charge" and that causes a lot of amateur owners to give up.