Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a young garter snake whose life is at risk!
I just noticed this today, there was something dried up on it's rectal opening that was preventing it from pooping. I originally had three but two fell victim to this a while back.

Has anyone else noticed a smooth yellowy-brown 'scab' over their garters anus? What should I so? So far, in an effort to at least allow it to poop I've managed to remove the 'scab' and with a little help the snake excreted a lot of waste (mainly onto my hands). Please help me, it was hard enough convincing my mother to allow me to buy these snakes, much less new ones if this one doesn't make it.

Out of curiosity, do you know if it's a boy or a girl? Check out http://www.gartersnake.co.uk/maintenance.htm There, you can find out, if you don't know. If it's a female, it could just be a plug to show that she's pregnant. Of course, this wouldn't be on the anus of the snake, though. Also, http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/reptiles/snake_diseases_general.html has a good list of snake diseases and such that might be of help.

I doubt it would be pregnant, it's not even a year old yet and it's spent most of it's life alone. The only other time it was with another snake was for the first two months i had it because I originally bought two and the first died from this same thing.

But the snake seems to be doing better now, it's pooping regularly and is no longer showing the symptoms the other one showed before it died.

Hrm...I wonder what it is. Well, I'm glad your snake is getting better Hopefully, whatever it is, it won't happen again.