Angel came to us by way of the local pet store. He had been there for sale for one year. Six months of that one year he was lost somewhere in the store. What was worse than him being lost was the fact that there was a fat black cat which roamed the inside of the store day and night, the owners pet! If you don't know cats kill and eat snakes just for the fun of it. Well we went into the store one day to pick up some mouse food and there he was, in the reptile display. We knew the girl working that day and asked about the snake. She proceeded to tell us about the legnth of time he was there and the awol stint. We asked if we could look at him, so she got him out for us. Guess what was on his tail just below the vent, a scar probably from the cat. Now this snake was not going to bring in the $129.00 they wanted for him. Needless to say we got him for a much "better" price but to us he's worth alot more than his original price. He is not the so called "perfect specimen" of milksnake. He has some black tipping, the scar(which is alot lighter now) and his growth was stunted from being lost in the store for six months. He eats great for us, sheds perfect every time and is a wonderful snake to have. He won't make it as a breeder but he's an "Angel" to us!!!
Update: August 30,2000 We acquired Angel quite a few years ago and wrote his little story at that time. I thought we should mention that several years of good food and gentle handling have now given us an adult male Sinaloan weighing 250 grams...we now realize that snakes can turn around to reach their normal proportions even if denied proper diet and husbandry in their early growing years. This is one of the amazing things about snakes! He is also a "calm" adult that enjoys coming out to be held...a big difference from the little lightening bolt he used to be! |
