Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend of mine has a ribbon snake. I know little about them. He's in a 20 long, with a good size "pond" on one end. Temps are about 70 cool and 78 to 80 hot size, I think. May have dropped recently, as we have had quite the icky-cold spell. The snake lives on a strict diet of goldfish.

Last couple days he has been acting odd, jumping about his enclosure. Ate well two days ago. Today he has been holding his head in a downward position. Kind of the oposite of stargazing. His respiration seems labored and quick. He looks to me like he is in pain.

We are pretty much snowed in, making it difficult to get to a vet, as there are no herp vets in this town. It may be a couple days before we can get to one. I'm afraid that might be too late. I do have a call in, waiting to hear back.

I have no idea about ribbon snakes and their requirements and whatnot. I am wondering if he may have a thiamin deficiency or some such. I've gotten a suplement, and gave him a lamp, as his only light source is indirect sunlight from a window. I'm pretty much just grasping at straws here. Anybody have anyinsight or ideas?

i dont know the care of ribbons but im guessing its to cool in the room, im sure you can find a care sheet somewhere oneline...
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Yeah, I kinda wondered about that, too, but the care sheets that I found online soundeed like temps were acceptable. (Unless, of course, they really did drop drastically during the cold spell.)

I did notice a small, red mite in the substrate (aspen shavings) when I went to look at it.

Thiamine deficiency would be my first suspicion as well, based on the symptoms and the diet. Goldfish are one of the species that contain thiaminase which makes a steady diet of them not recommended for any fish eating species of reptile. You are likely on the right track with the supplements but should also try to vary the diet. Good luck.

I have to agree and your are doing well with the lamp and the supplements. One dose of thiamine supplement should be enough, with further meals being of a different fish. Try rosy red minnows, and large earthworms. I would like to point out that many, many thamnophis and nerodia species have been kept exclusively on feeder goldfish without running into thiamin deficiencies. So while it might be the culprit, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. A droopy head could be simply related to extreme weakness.
The temps might be appropriate for a healthy ribbon snake, but use your lamp to acheive a good 85F hotspot while it's ill.

Good luck
Ian

Thank you for your responses.

I went ahead and took a f/t pinkie, injected it with the suppliment, and just shoved it down the snake. (It was messy and we fought over it, but I won. He swallowed it, and kept it down.)

Today he is looking much better, although still agitated and jumpy. His head is not slumping, but still jerks now and then. His respiration looks much better, like he's not gasping for air.

I'm afraid to say, yet if he's getting better, or if he's fading. I'm hoping he's getting better. He's spending a lot of time in the water, and does not go in his hide at all.

He's a very well-loved little snake, and I want to do all we can for the poor little guy.