Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an almost 10 year old garter/ribbon, I'm not 100% sure which one. She's always been very friendly and social, easy to handle. She hasn't been eating much lately, and when I went to check on her today she was fine at first-seemed to notice me in a normal way, then struck at my hand. I figured, "fine, she's hungry" and got out a couple minnows(her usual food). She struck at me again and would have nothing to do with the fish. I put her back in her enclosure.

She last ate a month ago, but she's been doing this each winter for a few years now(not eating as often). Her cage is a 10 gallon long with hide boxes, heat lamps(70 cool and 80 warm side), paper towel substrate, water bowl..nothing has changed recently.

I'm wondering if snakes can suffer from aging related behavior changes. Any other thoughts as to why this little sweet girl would be acting this way? SHe get's handled alot, and has always seemed to enjoy it. I've owned her for almost 9 years.

wow , that's funny i always had the impression garter's rarely lived that long...you must really like that snake.how big is it?Colors?

She is (well, was...she passed away this Sunday after having a seizure) very old. Her vet said she had rarely seen one in captivity older than 5, mostly due to poor husbandry. Speedy was almost 3 feet long, black with pale greenish yellow stripes. Right after eating she had orange markings along her sides, and she had 2 tiny yellow dots right next to each other on the top of her head.
The vet thought she could have had a stroke or a brain tumor...she had been quite healthy and normal until Thursday evening.
I'm gonna miss her for a long time

I had a wild caught wandering garter live for 9 years, and she was an adult when i caught her...