On November 20th, 2021, I went into Reptile Hut to see if there were any more Guyana Red Tails for sale. There weren't, but there was a larger common boa. I was told the snake was about 3 or 4 years old, female, and had been returned to the shop. The purchaser had bought the boa as a hatchling from shop owner Christopher Brodbeck before returning it years later.
When held, the snake had an audible wheeze. While I suspected an upper respiratory infection, Brodbeck denied it and claimed that it wasn't an infection and it was fine. The snake also had an injury to the top of the head which Brodbeck claimed not to know the origin of.
The boa was held in a plastic tote without water, nor a heat source. It is unclear how long the snake had been subjected to those conditions. I knew if I didn't take it home, the snake was likely to die.
Once home, I gave the boa a hydration bath. The poor thing drank and drank as it was severely dehydrated. Once in proper conditions, the snake began eating and even had a full shed (75 inches). However, while in quarantine, it became obvious that the snake was infested with snake mites. While I had owned boas years ago, I no longer owned a snake before this one making it impossible that the mites could have come from my own home/ collection.
I took the snake to the vet. And lo and behold, the "female" snake turned out to be a male. The vet treated the mites, gave me ointment for the wound, and antibiotics for the respiratory infection.
BUYER BEWARE!!! This seller is a hack. He spent the entire time we were in Reptile Hut telling us blatant and obvious lies about the animal, as well as trying to get us to follow his Facebook profile. He is definitely more interested in traveling with his dog, promoting his social media, and lying to customers than he is about reptiles. read more