03/23/2026
I’ve never personally preserved one of my own snakes in this way before. I’ve done my own tarantulas in dry mount taxidermy and my sugar gliders were my very first wet specimens from start to finish, but this is my first time doing an animal I’ve had since infancy.
Quasi was a special needs case with a spinal deformity that ultimately caused an internal obstruction. This is unfortunately common in snakes with spinal kinks and even though I was very careful and fed him smaller meals for his entire life, it still took him from me in the end. As someone who often takes in special needs and hospice cases, I go into them knowing my time with them will be limited. It doesn’t make the loss hurt any less.
This process was admittedly incredibly difficult for me but also so, so healing and brought surprising closure. I’ll be very glad when he’s finished and I can put him in his final resting place on my altar as one of my guardians.
*For anyone wondering, I do take custom pieces of personal pets limited to reptiles, amphibians, pocket pets, and other exotics (excluding birds) and they are cared for with as much love and attention as I would give Quasi. 🖤
