Introducing Jake the Snake!!

[Nanci]

Arriving not two minutes after I had just opened Lila's box was Jake, a 2003 Florida Kingsnake. Jake comes to me from Jay and PJ (PJC Reptiles) up in Maine. Who knows where he's been and what he's seen for the first four years of his life, but now Jake is back in Florida where he belongs! As I unpacked and photographed Lila, Jake writhed in his bag. Jay and PJ had the bag taped up like they were shipping Hannibal Lector! Took a while to get him out. Jake expressed his displeasure with big hissing snorts. They said he'd never bitten, though, so I proceeded with caution. And out of the bag he came, 49" and 743 grams of big strong kingsnake! He really, really likes to hug! I got a quick weight, ("come on Jake, sit in the salad strainer... please!") and then we went outside for a few (50) quick pictures. I decided to put him in a tree for containment. I'm not thrilled with my pics, and will have to try again when I am more relaxed. Jake's a big guy- I had to stick to head shots. He had his tongue out almost all the time.

Galen likes to call Jake his "Godson" because we both found out about him at roughly the same time. I had my Florida Kingsnake expert, Mike Dorfer, check Jake out, and he gave me the green light- said he was a great buy! It probably worked out for the best that I got Jake, and not Galen, because AFAIK Galen has narrowed his interests considerably since then. I, OTOH, enjoy having a small eclectic collection of corns, kings/milks and hoggies, all of which are spoiled pets in display vivs who regularly watch TV with me and who all have their pictures displayed at my work.

Jake is a very, very delayed Christmas present- and the few people who knew about him have been waiting and waiting for his formal announcement! I am so happy to finally have him here with me. As soon as Jake went into his cage, he disappeared into his warm hide for a long time. He came out for a couple minutes, cruised around, went back into the warm hide and hasn't been seen for hours. I am hoping he comes out tonight when it gets dark. Because of the size of his furnishings and how hard it was to squeeze Jake-sized hides and a branch and a water bowl big enough for him to get into in his cage, it would be a huge hassle to go in after him. I'm hoping he will be an out-going type who will come out when I open his door.

Here he is!











Thanks for looking!

Nanci