Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got home from fishing last night and noticed that that big midland water snake of mine was not acting right. I could do nothing about it too. This morning I went to check on it and it was dead. So, I measured it and it was 52". One inche awayf rom the record. But after measuring I cut it open to see if I could find the cause of death. Now remember I found this snake in a popular fishing place. I looked in the stomach and intestine and I found a hook about an inche long with several barbs on it. That makes like the 3rd or 4th snake I have found in the past 2 years that died from something foreign being lodged in the gut. Oh well, I would have never guessed it. I guess someone was fishing with minnows and it grabbed the fish and the person cut their line.
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Justin

That's too bad Justin. But I am pleased that you where able to determine the cause. Not knowing can be devastating! Otherwise, how is all else going?
Michael

Well everything else is fine. I will try to ge pics of my brown water snake up again. It just shed.
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Justin

I am sorry that happened. It does help I guess that you know it wasn't poor husbandry or otherwise your fault. Still it is a terrible feeling when you see that happen and there's nothing you can do. Possibly a call for educating the locals about the native snakes etc. and what to do (call you?!) if they catch one like that. You may save one in the future and I'm sure that would make you feel pretty good.
:Mark

Hey man i finally got to get on here. I hear u go to the dixie Reptile show i also go there im from Fort Payne Alabama. i also caught a huge midland last week it had to be atleast 40= or more inches not the record but huge, it was a solid red phase. what herps have u caught this year i have only foung eastern garters,black rat, black racer, midland waters, eastern milk *first for me* and an eastern cottonmouth.

, Zach