Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed that one of my long term WC Eastern kings, currently 66" long (and has been that length for some time now), has developed small round white areas in the middle of his eye lenses. Every time he sheds this area gets a little bigger, making him more and more blind to the world. It also has a profound effect on his appetite, as to where he is eating less and less...(Of course brumation season could be triggering his lack for appetite as well).
I have seen "Big John" have similar chain of events happen to him. Eventually Big John had completely white eyes and his appetite dimished as he seemed frustrated at not being able to see. He would still try to eat every now and then, but his efforts at grabbing the meals became less and less. Until eventually he would just strike very slowly and aimlessly and was very reluctunt to eat even when I did help guide the meal to his mouth. He was completely healthy otherwise with NO bacteria or disease of any kind. Eventually he lost half his weight, and looked very pitiful. I then had him euthanized to end his suffering . . . He was my biggest kingsnake ever and I measured him a few months before he passed on and he topped out at 77"!!! So I know he's had a GOOD life!
Now, I am seeing the same thing going on with one of my other old kings. Since I've moved around a lot in my life (due to military), I never kept snakes for more than a few years so I never seen them age before, until now? Anyone else have any info on this or witnessed this in their own healthy, but aging snakes? Thanks

Zee

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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

Hi Zee

My oldest snake in my collection, a 15 year old snow cornsnake(my first ever snake and bought her as a 2 year old), have developed the same thing. I was told by my vet that it's a cataract condition and that, like in humans, some animals develop the condition when approaching old age. Some do more than others. She only has it on one eye and it has not been affected that much by it. She is still a very good feeder but she has slowed down in producing eggs for a couple of years now(as expected). She's still the queen of my collection though.
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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

Thanks for the info. Yes, that snake is very old. Caught as a wildcaught 5 footer back in the nineties, no one knew how old but we all have a good idea now . . .

Zee
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-