Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't know what I am doing wrong!!! I have had two baby snakes die. I am just getting into keeping reptiles. I had an adult ball python given to me and did good at taking care of it. So I thought I would try a baby. I got a western hognose, she ate once, then stopped eating for about 2 weeks and died. Then I decided that maybe a hognose was not a good choice so I got a kenyan sand boa. She was doing GREAT! She ate several times. Then she did not eat for a week and a half and died! I don't understand what I am doing wrong. I spend lots of money and time to try to get the conditions just right for these little guys and still can't seem to keep one alive. Any suggestions?

I understand your frustrations. Baby snakes can be very challenging and when things go south its easy to get discouraged. Since you have not outlined your exact enclosure conditions, its hard to say what went wrong.
Two main issues baby snakes that cause stress are handling and lack of a hide spot. Do you handle the animals? Little guys get stressed out really easily. People always love to show off their new pets to friends and family. Snakes need to get accustomed to their environment before you start handling them. This means that once you get a snake, put it in its enclosure with a hide spot and water and leave it alone. Offer appropriate sized food once the snake comes out to investigate its surroundings. Let it shed once or twice and have several meals in it before you attempt to handle it.
If you are doing this and your conditions are right, you should not have the snake dying.
The only other consideration is the source of your babies. Pet stores get their animals from wholesalers. I would go with an individual here on Kingsnake that specializes in the species that you want. Just about everyone here is friendly enough to help you out step by step.
Good Luck
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

Thank you for your response! The most recent death was the kenya sand boa. I had her in a 10gal tank. There was plenty of substrate (pine or aspen - the one they sell at pet co) for her to completly burrow under. I did not use sand as I heard that they can become impacted. The breeder was reputable awesome guy that I had several conversations with about the correct conditions for the snake. After keeping it alive for approx 2 months, I'm sure it was not his fault. I even had a rock in the cage for her to hide under. I had a heat lamp that kept the cage about 90 on the hot side. I kept water in a bowl but she did not come up much. I only handled her to make sure she was ok. I left her alone when she was shedding. The only thing I can think is she may have gotten a little dehydrated, but isin't that crazy - a desert animal dying of dehydration? I also used tap water. I don't know if that makes a difference. But all the herp keepers I know use tap water. So, I am at a loss!

Its tough to say why you have had bad luck. I'm no fan of heat lamps, but I think if heat was the issue, it would have died earlier.
Next time I would try something a little older and less fragile than a baby.
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

What were you checking your temps with and how warm was the cool side. A 10 gallon with a heat lamp is very easy to over heat since it is usually a large lamp and a little cage. I would stay away from pine bedding. It can cause health issues (kind of like cedar). And it is not unusual for desert species to die from dehydration. They use cool hides during the day and find water in a variety of sheltered nooks and crannies.