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After nearly three months of treatment, a badly burned Florida kingsnake is ready to be adopted from the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA. Only experienced snake handlers need apply.
The 6-foot long male snake was left at the Humane Society’s after-hours receiving kennel on June 27. He was emaciated, dehydrated and had deep burns on a third of his body.
A note was left by the snake owner, who said the snake’s name is Felix and that he had been left in the care of a friend, while the man was homeless. When he went to claim Felix from the friend, he found the snake in bad condition.
Peninsula Humane Society communications manager, Buffy Martin Tarbox, said the note did not include contact information or the name of the owner. The owner had written that he didn’t have the money for Felix’s medical treatment, but “he didn’t want him to suffer so he surrendered the snake to us.”
Veterinarians and exotic animal handlers at the shelter say they don’t think the burns were intentional, that Felix was kept in an enclosure that was too small for him, placing him too close to a heat lamp for an extended time.
Vets prescribed what Tarbox called a robust treatment plan for Felix that included creating a bandage to fit his entire body, which helped heal the burn wounds and provided subcutaneous antibiotics to stave off infection.
“Despite the hardship Felix has endured,” Tarbox says, “he’s still extremely friendly and will make a good pet for an experienced snake owner, who is also willing to continue applying topical ointment on his wounds.”
Florida kingsnakes are native to South Florida and are known for their docile and friendly personalities. The average length of the snakes is 3 to 5½ feet, although they can grow up to 6 feet at maturity. They live 12 to 20 years. Kingsnakes have a reputation for being easy to care for.
Felix’s age is unknown, but he is fully grown, and measures about 6 feet long. He will require a secure tank with at least 60 gallons of capacity, and will need to be separated from other snakes.
Felix is available for adoption at PHS/SPCA’s Center for Compassion at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame. His adoption fee is $40. Like all snakes, Felix does need specialized care and feeding of frozen, defrosted mice or rats, which are available at most pet supply stores. Feeding live rodents is considered unnecessary and inhumane for both prey and predator.
