Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Strider died overnight. I woke up this morning and checked on him and he las lying out in the open, something i have never seen him do before. When i opened the screen top and he didn't move i knew and confirmed when i picked him up he was cold and lifeless. His one eye looked wierd as well almost as if it was looking up and the other looked fine.

I don't know what happened; i called the vet a minute ago and they said stress is most likely. He didn't seem stressfull but besides trying to feed him too early monday night i left him alone untill this morning. He seemed fine last night i even saw him drinking from his water bowl.

guess i just wasn't meant to have a snake.

RIP little buddy

Wayne

I could tell by your posts that you truly cared for the little guy. Don't think the way that you are thinking though. These things sometimes happen. When I first got into snakes, the second one I got, an anery, passed away after a short time also, for no apparent reason. One day he was fine, eating, drinking, checking out his home, and a few days later he regurged and passed away. If I would have given up, I wouldn't have the beauties I have now. Don't quit something you love because you lost Strider. Just remember him, and try again with a new little one. As much as you care, I know that you will provide a good home for a little snakie.
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SpardaWolf
17 Corns,6 Ratsnakes, 1 Ball Python, 1 Hognose(for now)

Snake Addict
"Always Learning"

I'm so sorry to hear that. Don't give up though. Sometimes baby corns just are not meant to make it. It happens. I know it can be discouraging. I lost count of how mny baby corns I had die on me the first year (Okay~ I know the number~ it's 5, it's just so depressing!) Sometimes you have a run of bad luck.

Just hang in there and keep trying. It's worth it. Trust me~ I did!

~Thats Banshee~ She was one of my very first snakes I received on 9-11-01 (Yep, 9-11!) I got 2.2 baby corns that day (What a nightmare it was too!) 1.1 of those died in the first two months~ Banshee and Ra (Below) are the survivors of that first batch and are favorites now!

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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

So sorry to hear that. Other posters are right - with hatchlings, there is a relatively high mortality rate in-built. That's why snakes lay so many eggs; some babies hatch but nature just has them in mind as food for something else. All part of the cycle of things.

And with all due respect to the vet, I don't think they can make a diagnosis over the phone. I don't recall seeing stress being identified as a cause of death in hatchlings in the various forums I read, although perhaps more experienced folks could comment? Sometimes there are just fundamental physical problems that don't manifest themselves until months after hatching.

Please think about getting another. It's very plain that you cared deeply, did all the right research and did the very best you could for your friend.

>>I agree.
I don't think stress killed the little guy.
I just beleive it wasn't meant to make it.
Or, the vet missed something during the exam.
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

To be honost I was affraid that was going to happen. He was too skinny for my likings. But still it comes very much as a surprice when a vet gives a clean bill of health.. I am sorry for your loss. Now, don't say you are not ment to have snakes. I killed my first two snakes before I let one successfully live. Go on a mission to find your next beautifull corn. I am sure you will have more luck the second time. You showed us here to be a very responsible keeper by talking your snake to the vet.

Marcel

>>Strider died overnight. I woke up this morning and checked on him and he las lying out in the open, something i have never seen him do before. When i opened the screen top and he didn't move i knew and confirmed when i picked him up he was cold and lifeless. His one eye looked wierd as well almost as if it was looking up and the other looked fine.
>>
>>I don't know what happened; i called the vet a minute ago and they said stress is most likely. He didn't seem stressfull but besides trying to feed him too early monday night i left him alone untill this morning. He seemed fine last night i even saw him drinking from his water bowl.
>>
>>guess i just wasn't meant to have a snake.
>>
>>RIP little buddy
>>
>>Wayne
>>
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

he looks like peanut! dont give up on snakes. maybe he was a bad one

>>But sometimes these things happen.
That just means you weren't meant to have THAT snake not A snake.
Don't give up.
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement. The vet may well have missed something. While she does treat reptiles i am not sure how often, i did find a reptile specialist but he is a little over an hour away.

As far as the not meant to have a snake thing i was still upset when i posted that. I know i will get another, it is just a matter of time. I will most likely get a older snake next time, something not so delicate as to hopefully avoid a third bad experience. What time i did have with him was great, i'll never forget him.

Again thanks i really appreciate the kind words

Wayne

Please remember that baby snakes have a very high mortality rate. I got six hatchlings from SMR. (Beautiful snakes, by the way) I kept them in a boaphile rack with identical heat, hide and water conditions. Two never made it. One never took off like the others and the last one to die looked like it was going to make it, when I found her dead in her cage.

If you buy another cornsnake, buy them from SMR! Don guarantees his snakes and will replace them free of charge if they die. He's the best!
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0.1 BCI
1.1 Okeetee
2.0 Motley Sunglow, Bloodred
0.2 Motley Sunglow, Ghost