Seems to be sick. But I'm not sure. One of the kids in class today said, "Hey your snake doesn't look too good." and he said that he knew that already. Supposedly, the snake hasn't ate anything for awhile (not sure how long.. was pressed on time, the bell rang). There isn't any heat in the tank, as far as I can see. I suggested a Under Tank Heater at the least, but he didn't really have any response to that. The classroom can get pretty cold sometimes. So maybe no heat is the problem?? Or do snakes hibernate/brumate?

The poor snake doesn't really have a hide or anything, and the tank has not been cleaned out in awhile. He says he doesn't have the money to bring his snake to the vet. I really want to just stay after one day and clean out his snakes' tanks and put in hides, etc. (he has a ball python too, seems to be doing fine, but again no heat)

Please don't give me the response "Your teacher should know better than to not care for the animals he agreed to take care of" because I agree, and really that isn't gonna get me anywhere to figuring out what might be wrong with the rock python.

So I know the list is probably long; parasites, lack of heat, possibly hibernating, etc. But please help.

-Val

If he is not caring for them properly he should not have them,,,,period. It is never wise to take an animal in if you cannot afford vet bills, that is the nuber one reponsibility of pet ownership. If you nor anyone else can get the teacher to care for it properly it would be in the best interests of the snakes to get the authorities involved. animal abuse is a crime in all 50 states now.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Agreed Ken. If he wont get it help, maybe you can get the principal involved to. If you have the means to take care of it, maybe you persuade him to let you have it. There are lots of possibilities its just getting them to cooperate.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Yeah, I'd take it up with the principal first. Perhaps you can talk him into doing something about it. Maybe even a petition or something? You could remain anonymous. Besides, I assume he has a juvie? Rock pythons can grow to near burmese proportions! I'm sure if the rest of your school found out what sort of care he was giving it, and found out how big they get, they'd ask him to get rid of it. The only obstacle after that is finding it a better home though. It might be a better idea to find it a possible home before he gets rid of the snake.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

if I were you (btw I have seen many a class pets suffer) i would go up to him and say "look, i respect you as my teacher, but it is not right to treat animals this way, i would be glad to clean the tank for you, buy a heater, and put in some necesities for it." If he refuses, plain and simply go to the principal. i HAVE NOT lost a fight to any distributors thus far, i wouldnt steer you wrong. (i once got a walmart to get rid of there fish b/c I called the head quarters and they got rid of the fish totally) lol sorry if this is a bit much but it's just my opinion.

good luck

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

I would say the biggest problem is the lack of heat. With no heat even if he fed the snakes (assuming they would eat at all) they could not digest the food. Its only a matter of time till the animls sicken to point of dying!
Your teacher is guilty of animal cruelty and neglect and is in violation of the law. You might approach the principal with that as well as he is setting an extremely poor example to his students.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Seems so wrong to report him to the principal.. SPCA.. or something. Even though it's really wrong how he treats his pets. So first I'll try and work with him. Inform him to get a Under Tank Heater and use the lightbulb during the daytime. Then I'll take care of the inside of the cage. Fresh water in the bowl, put a couple hides in. Should I make a humid hide, also? I'm assuming yes, for shedding.

ALSO, Update. I was watching the rock python and he just sits there with his mouth open. I asked my friend MJ (reptile specialist at a Petsmart and owns tons of VERY well cared for reptiles) and she thinks it might have mouth rot or a respiratory infection. The mouth had a patchy yellow and brown around the edges. Are there cures that the vet can give for anything like this?

EDIT; Just remembered that I asked him how old his "rock python" is. And he said either 8 or 12 years.. I cannot remember which. I'm beginning to think that this isn't even a rock python.

Oh and Venus.. I don't think he'd let me have it, nor that I would even want to have it. Frankly, I don't think that I could take care of it. I would be able to clean its tank, give it freshwater, but I wouldn't be able to feed it. 'Cos I'd feel bad for the mouse. Mom would never let me have a snake anyways. She's scared to death of snakes AND mice.

Since he does not seem in the least interested in giving the animal proper care the alternative is watching the snake suffer and eventually die. The fact that he KNOWS that the snake is sick and will still do nothing about it is criminal negligence!
The patches in the mouth sounds like mouthrot (infectious Stomatitis). The open mouth is most likely due to the snake attempting to breath due to congestion from the RI. This is a result of the lack of heat. Yes a vet can cure both IF it isn't too far advanced and IF the proper conditions are achieved. I understand you not wanting to get the teacher in trouble but he is grossly negligent in his care of these animals.
If something doesn't change they WILL die!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I had to save a baby Iguana from a zoology teacher at my school! beaucase they were feeding him crickets and there was no heat in the room at all they had already lost a skink!

I am glad that you took a caring for this poor snake and I wish you good luck, but I agree go to the principal if you must this pet should not suffer!

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Love Always,
Audrey

Owned By,

1.0.0 Iguana Iguana -Louie
0.0.1 Avicularia avicularia (pink toe Trantula)-Muffy
0.1.0 Ceratophrys ornata (Pac Man Frog)-Sparticus
1.0.0 Albino Rat -conspericy
0.1.0 Betta-Alphie
0.0.1 Apple snail- Mr. Bubbles
1.1.0 Mutt puppy's- Socks & Meeko
1.0.0 fieance-Brett

If you feel bad about "being the one to turn him in", what about putting in a call to the local SPCA and telling them about it? Tell them you prefer to remain anonymous, but you are REALLY VERY concerned about the lack of care being taken of these animals and you are afraid that they will die soon without intervention.

Tell them what responses you got from us and to please send someone to check it out. You can feel good about helping the animals, and no one else needs to know that you put in the call.

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Andrea