Relocating Serpents

The Critters are being relocated, finally, to their new homes. With all of the chaos of this remodel, they’ve been living in the guest room, trying to stay away from the dust and chaos. They’ve been relatively happy, although they haven’t had much in the way of socialization. Willful has been moved downstairs, to the top of the television cabinet. His tank is about 4 inches too large for the cabinet, so … we may have to find him another place. But we wanted him downstairs, where he’d be out and about, and easily accessible.

Chicken, on the other hand, is going to be moving to our garden after this weekend. He’s a California King snake, illegally obtained by a former coworker’s child. I inherited him when said coworker’s child spent some time in juvenile hall and was unable to take care of him. We named him Chicken because he’s so determined not to be handled, and hides pretty much all of the time; he’s been known to stick his head out of his hidey-hole only to grab the mouse, and then to duck back inside. California Kings are not supposed to be bought or sold, nor are you supposed to catch them, so … we’ve decided to let him go, where he can do us some good. Another week or so and he’ll be after our gophers, we hope!

3 Replies to “Relocating Serpents”

  1. Chicken’s gotta go because of the Nasty Musk incident. Note to folks: NEVER, and I mean NEVER pick up a California King Snake when it doesn’t want to be touched. ‘Objectionable’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.

  2. Poor Chicken! I remember holding a King snake when I was about ten or so (during some kind of classroom visit) but maybe it was a different variety or more used to being handled. I don’t recall any musk incidents.

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