Reptile Expo and an Inevitable Addition

This morning I went to the Massachusetts Reptile Expo which is an entirely volunteer run event. My first reason to go was to coo over all the animals, of course, but I also wanted to get some supplies and feeders for my new girl arriving Wednesday. My second goal was well accomplished as I got a well-priced UVB bulb, 100 superworms for $5, and got a nice basking platform that I now realize is probably a bit too small but it's perfectly sized for Fuego's tank so he gets to enjoy that the lucky boy.

Despite my best efforts, I also brought a new addition home, a baby Crested Gecko. From what I can tell he/she (too young to determine gender yet) is what they refer to as a Harlequin which is a term for his colors/markings. The poor babe is entirely stressed out at the moment, and who wouldn't be after being on bright display for several hours followed by a bumpy car ride and then finding yourself in a brand new environment, so I am giving him a few days before I begin handling. It's much more important that he/she feels safe and secure than for me to enjoy petting his suede-like skin. Put food in for him about an hour ago and hope he/she eats a little at least.

I also came across an absolutely gorgeous leatherback boy from Jungle Jewels Reptiles who I would have snatched in a moment if I had any further space for another baby but my new girl will need a dedicated amount of time so I made the reasonable choice and left him for someone else to snatch up. There were also a multitude of corn snakes but that must wait as well.

Already well aware I'll have a reptile room as soon as I own my own house.

Craig's List Fury

I have a very bad habit of browsing the "Pet" section of Craig's List because, well, I'm a masochist and I enjoy seeing all these poor animals that need homes that I don't have the space to rescue. While partaking in this activity last night I ran across a posting for a 4 foot long corn snake with "everything needed" included. This "everything" included a 10 gallon tank and lights that the snake doesn't need at all and ones that probably disrupt proper sleep patterns. 

I emailed the poster and fairly nicely told them that a 20 gallon tank is the bare minimum for an adult corn snake and that I hope they told the new owner to upgrade the enclosure as keeping a snake that large in that small of a tank is bordering on cruelty. To say they didn't take my advice well is putting it lightly.

His response included threatening physical harm if I ever showed up at his house (let me mention that I never said anything remotely close to going to meet him) and accusing me of having no life/being a loser. While I'm certainly not the coolest kid on the block it only takes 2 minutes for me to shoot over an email so not sure why that qualifies me as not having a life. Anyway.

I did send another email back, well worded and very polite, telling him that threats are not appropriate and that animal cruelty is not something to take lightly. I am awaiting a curse filled response but also tried to talk him down on price as this poor girl deserves a proper enclosure and not a tiny tank with nothing to climb on and improper lighting.

I am such a bleeding heart for these creatures.