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Be careful with your baby(pet)sitters!

W

waddlecaudle

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I have learned the hard way that, though some reptiles can be hardy, it is still important that the people you leave in their care are not only knowledgeable, but responsible enough to take care of your exotic. I left for three weeks to see my family for Christmas.

All I had asked them to do was feed my beardies some crickets, make sure my tegu had some fresh water, make sure their enclosures stayed clean, and make sure all of them stayed warm. I had a heater plugged in to an extension cord because my insanely old room only has one outlet and I don't want to blow a fuse with the heater (which I showed the roommate I asked to look after things).

My girlfriend came over about a 10-12 days into me being gone. She said that the heater was off and it was ~52 degrees F in my room. Luckily all of their lights were on, but with it being Colorado in winter who knows how cold it got and how long the heater was off.

When I got back the firs thing I was told was when I walked in the door was, "Don't go in your room, it smells like lizards." I entered my room to find all of the enclosures a mess and the room smelling putrid. I immediately started checking on my animals. Beardies were unhappy but well, tegu was good, last was my SK Axanthic Ball Python. That is when I realized the odor was one of my babies. After opening his bin I saw waste everywhere. The water was very low and he was under his water dish where it stayed low. Normally, when I opened his bin he would come out to slither up my arm, but this time nothing. I knew immediately he was dead.

This is my lesson learned warning to all of you:

Reptiles are not dogs or cats. They are special creatures that requires special attention. Few people realize that what is important to us isn't necessarily what is important to them. Also, because someone is ok and experienced with handling your animals, it does not mean they can care for them. Take the extra time to find good sitters for your babies.​

RIP Kaa

mh7cr9.jpg


That being it is time to look for new additions to the family!
 
Very sorry for your loss. I would only leave someone I really trust to care for my reptiles and this is exactly why.
 
Sorry for your loss. That's very hard lesson learned. Even common reptiles have at least basic needs that should be checked daily. Fix the heat issue though. If you have to upgrade your electic panel it can be very expensive. I upgraded from a 12 breaker slot 60amp to a 40 breaker slot 200amp panel just to be able to run all my heat and lamps without getting close to maxing some of the breakers. I now have many slots to spare for expansion. If you have extra slots in your panel, inquire with an electrician(if your not able to) to see if you can add a breaker and get at least a 20 amp up there for a good room heater. Usually if it's just a singer breaker added and wire and outlet, it's not too expensive as long as they can access the space to pull the wire through easily. I installed my own panel and upgraded the meter base as well. Parts alone was around a grand not including my time or inspections. usually with just a breaker and outlet you don't need an inspection, but refer to your local code enforcement for details.

Jacob
 
Sorry for your loss, Zach. I hate going on vacation, and worry myself sick about the animals the entire time.
 
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm hoping that the fact that you shared your experience will help other critters by making sure that they are left with people who recognize their needs.
 
Thanks for the words everyone. Fortunately I am moving out of this house soon and it will be custom enclosures and constant conditions for all :) I hope my experience helps others, I know I have learned from it.
 
Wow, what kind of person (whether they like reptiles or not) would allow the living conditions of them get so bad?!? I don't know how close you are to your roommate and it may be out of line to say this, but he/she is the lowest of the low. No respect for life what so ever.

Growing up my mom was terrified of any and all reptiles. My dad decided to let me keep them despite that. My mom would have gleefully killed them with a shovel if they weren't pets. Being a child, sometimes I would neglect their needs. Not to a horrible extent, but I'd still forget to feed them every once in a while. I remember one day I was playing outside with my friends and I came home late. She was lifting up the logs around our flower garden. She was looking for crickets for my fire skink! (and that's also the day she became 'mom' in my head instead of 'step mom')

Any person with half a heart would have never let conditions get that bad. I hope you never talk to that person again, and honest if I was in your shoes I would contact animal asap and have them press charges. Maybe a fine or a few days in jail will smack some sense into them.

Just my thoughts.

Em.
 
Sheesh I worked myself up so bad I forgot how to write words. :p *honestly **animal control.

I'm also very sorry for your loss. I hope a new addition to your collection helps to heal your heart!!
 
I am moving out in March and calling it a day. It is a bad living situation with irresponsible and inconsiderate people that aren't able to grow up, which means unfortunately he would learn nothing. I miss my big guy but I am excited to get a pair of what will hopefully be my first pair of breeders down the road... is it weird I really want to try crossing the two big axanthic lines to see if their double gene does anything cool?
 
I have very little knowledge of genetics, but it seems to me since it's a recessive trait the only way you'd know if you get a double is from the offspring further down the line. I think that would be a really cool project though. If you start let me know, I'd love to follow your progress.
 
Someone I know on a different forum left a sickly rescued Fat tailed gecko with someone and they bred it. It probably has MBD and has stuck eggs and probably won't make it. I can't believe the way some people treat reptiles in their care.
If I'm ever gone for a long period of time, the only person I trust with my animals is my boyfriend, lol.
 
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