Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Unfortunately, I have some really bad news. Yesterday I found that Aztec, my male Yellow Tail cribo, had unexpectedly died. I was about to feed him when I discovered him dead, coiled in a back corner of the cage. I looked him over and nothing appeared externally wrong. There were no obstructions that could be felt along the body, the vent and mouth were clean, and he looked extremely healthy. The temperatures and humidity were also correct, and his water bowl had just been cleaned and filled.

What is even worse is that he was really young and hatched in 2003. I had always wondered if something could have been unusual with him as he was extremely small for a cribo of his age; only about 5 1/2 feet long. He was a voracious feeder and always very well fed on rats, chicks, and small quail.

I'm still really confused and upset about what happened as he was easily my favorite snake. He was always handleable and never once attempted to bite. Everyone who held or touched simply fell in love with him and he was a big hit with my friends and family. In fact, many people who were once terrified of snakes lost their ophidiophobia because of Aztec's gentle demeanor and beauty. He will be sorely missed.

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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Maybe there was something wrong with him all along, and that is why he didn't grow bigger. Perhaps it was lucky that you had him so long, and his main purpose was to make scared non-snake people not so scared. Who knows, but I am still sorry for your loss.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

Sorry to hear of your loss; that's never an easy thing to take. Did you consider doing a necropsy on this animal? I have learned much from doing necropsies over the years and that has allowed me to improve my husbandry and understanding of herps. Although it's probably too late unless the snake has been refrigerated and still fairly fresh, but I would encourage those who lose valuable animals to spend a little money and have a necropsy done.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Maybe there was something wrong with him all along, and that is why he didn't grow bigger. Perhaps it was lucky that you had him so long, and his main purpose was to make scared non-snake people not so scared. Who knows, but I am still sorry for your loss.
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>>phflame
>>kingsnake.com host
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I gave some serious thought to the idea of having a necropsy done, but I decided to do without one. I'm still not sure why; I guess it just seemed wrong, in a sense. He was my favorite snake and I just wasn't comfortable with the idea of doing that. If that makes any sense at all.
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Thanks for your support and kind words. It is always nice to hear such things in times like these. So thanks again.
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Sorry for your loss. RIP Aztec!

My stomach drops at the death of any animal under my care. While I certainly understand your feelings opposed to necropsy, I would think about it. I like to know exactly what is going on with all my animals, and I certainly would not want any potential spread of illness. But if your gut instict is telling you this was a fluke case that won't hurt your other herps, and it would upset you to cut it open...you don't need to be losing any more sleep after having to deal with the loss of a animal you felt close to.

Once again, I am sorry for your loss.

Thanks. You hit the nail on the head. I just can't allow myself to have him cut open; I loved the snake too much. Like you said, I think it was a fluke. All of my other animals are in great shape right now, and I've been keeping a closer eye on them since Aztec's death. None have shown any unusual behavior, and I have been taking them out every day to make sure nothing seems out of the ordinary.
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville