Rocky, the tiger snake (Notechis sp.) with Charcot’s disease that became a media sensation earlier this month, has been stolen from her caretaker.
Rocky, the tiger snake (Notechis sp.) with Charcot’s disease that became a media sensation earlier this month, has been stolen from her caretaker.
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According to 9 News Australia, Rocky was stolen from her enclosure at the home of Bruce Press of Reptile Rescue Tasmania more than a week ago and hasn’t been seen since. Press told 9 News Australia that the thief is probably another snake handler who for whatever reason wanted the snake.
“The snake could not be re-released because it’s not allowed to breed now it has that disease, it could pass it on, so I hope whoever stole it does not release it,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Company. “It’s a shame with the snake, because the scientific people were wanting to take all kinds of tests from it.”
Press is also nursing a hand after his finger was amputated after he was bit by a tiger snake two weeks ago.
Rocky is about 70cm in length and is not expected to live a long life due to its condition, which causes bumps to grow inside its body. Press has been feeding it mice that are small enough for Rocky to easily digest and has been living a fairly uneventful life since Press captured it during a routine snake extraction.
John B. Virata keeps a western hognose snake, a ball python, two corn snakes, a king snake, and two leopard geckos. His first snake, a California kingsnake, was purchased at the Pet Place in Westminster, CA for $5. His first pet reptile was a green anole that arrived in a small box via mail order. Follow him on Twitter @johnvirata
