Remember Zack, the injured kingsnake? I posted about him shortly after Zick, the captive bred Florida kingsnake arrived in my classroom. Zack, named after the lad who brought him to me, had a substantial wound about a quarter of the way back from his head. The boy knew it was a harmless kingsnake thanks to a few weeks exposure to Zick in the classroom.
Thus, the presence of Zick saved Zack.
I put antibiotic ointment on the wound and kept Zack in a hospital cage at home. The wound healed and his mobility improved a lot.
There must have been some nerve damage past the break, because even with the wound healed, he has some reduced movement at the back end.
I had a routine of taking him out on sunny weekend days and letting him crawl around. His mobility seemed to be better each time. If I didn't keep an eye on him, he would disappear beneath the leaves and grass in the yard.
Last weekend, even though I had grown attached to him, I knew it was time for Zack to go be a snake. He had not eaten during his time in hospital, but he had recently molted and seemed frisky enough.
Thus, the presence of Zick saved Zack.
I put antibiotic ointment on the wound and kept Zack in a hospital cage at home. The wound healed and his mobility improved a lot.
There must have been some nerve damage past the break, because even with the wound healed, he has some reduced movement at the back end.
I had a routine of taking him out on sunny weekend days and letting him crawl around. His mobility seemed to be better each time. If I didn't keep an eye on him, he would disappear beneath the leaves and grass in the yard.
So, I took him to a cozy gopher tortoise burrow here at PFHQ and wished him well.
There's a little video below that documents the release.
10 comments:
Godspeed, Zack!
I am so happy for him and glad you were there to help him along. Wishing him a long, mobile life.
momadness
Aw! Yay, Zack! (The snake AND the kid.)
Hey FC,
Agree with all above!
Patio
Cool release - he looked at home. It'll be real interesting to see if you turn up a scarred king again on your property in the next few years.
Speaking of reptiles; what's in the eggs your dealing with in the new header?
Glad to see he's doind well!
only 18 more working days to go!
vaya con dios, zack!
"Go be a snake..." the perfect send off.
Everyone,
Thanks for the Zack well wishes!
He is a good snake.
Tai, those are seaturtle eggs in a hatchery that I managed in the'80's.
We removed turtle nests from high traffic areas as soon as they appeared.
The hatching rate that year was about 90% in my hatchery.
3600 little turtles.
Good luck, Zack. You've certainly increased his odds. Reptiles who won't eat are a bit scary. Who you gonna call? I'd rather see him in the wild if I were you, too.
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