Errant Draco a bit down in the dumps

GEORGE NEWS - Draco the ball python is having a difficult time adjusting back home since he was discovered on a car seat at a dealership in George.

His owner, BCom student Roelof Naudé (21), says his pet snake is suffering from PTSD, and he believes it will take some time before Draco is his old self again.

Naudé and his pet returned to Stellenbosch for the start of the third term. "The ride back from George didn't help, either. At this point I try to make Draco as comfortable as possible. I can see he is happy to be back in my flat."

Naudé says the key to Draco's happiness is low stress, making sure he is warm and that the humidity in his enclosure is correct. "If all that is fine, Draco should be more than healthy."

Hide-and-seek

When Naudé sold his vehicle earlier this month, he had no idea that Draco was hiding in it. He had lost Draco at the beginning of winter, about two months ago, at home in Stellenbosch.

"I've shed a tear and looked for him for ever," says the Georgian, who visited his parents during the school holidays. "I've had Draco since he was a baby."

Helping out at his dad's business on Friday 18 July, Naudé received a call from the car dealership in George to which he had sold his vehicle a week before. "They asked me if I'd lost a snake. I was so happy to hear they'd found him. I couldn't believe it!" says Naudé, who immediately asked for a break during his shift and went to fetch his pet.

Apparently, a customer had browsed among the cars at the dealership and spotted the snake on the seat. "It was so unreal," says Naudé, "but it all makes sense. I'd lost him in the beginning of winter. Snakes like to be warm; I think he stayed hidden in the car because of the heat there."

A customer had browsed among the cars at the dealership and spotted the snake on a seat.

Tattoo artist

Naudé has had Draco for three years. He had received him as a gift from his tattoo artist in Stellenbosch.

Draco is currently about 75cm and weighs 1.5kg. A ball python can tip the scale at 5kg and live up to 30 years.

"Draco is completely harmless and used to being handled. He was absolutely starving and very thirsty. I raced home and gave him in a bowl of water, and defrosted a rat. Snakes can go months without eating. The rat will last him for weeks."

Naudé says Draco is very comfortable and likes to be around people. "In the beginning, my girlfriend had to get used to his presence, but now she's happy to hold him."

Naudé is full of praise for the car dealership and one of its employees, whom he says handled the situation like a professional.

Roelof Naudé and his ball python, Draco.