Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently, I became aware that the individual cited in my story, who together with wife and a friend, collected three male alterna on HWY 285 in one night has lost all his alterna. Here is a recap of the events that led up to each death in the individual's own words:

"16 mi N. alterna 1 -- the one you kept for a while, shedding problems around fall and spring, always very wiry and never putting on bulk. Wasnt shedding right during late fall. I didnt want to hibernate so I put it in a container with damp paper towels and its own heat on one end for thermoregulation --- started making strange motions with its head, died overnight.

16 mi N. alterna 2 -- very pretty, my favorite, grew up and put on bulk very well. Had a few shedding problems, but not like the others. Very robust and healthy. Used as a male breeder for 2 seasons. The second season it was killed by a very large aggressive breeder female alterna (cb generic).

9 mi N. alterna -- lots of shedding problems. picked up body weight okay but would go off feeding ... especially in spring and fall. I put in a container with damp peat moss year round so it could more easily shed, and that did help somewhat. Started loosing body weight during hibernation this winter but I waited until spring to take him out of hibernation. Tried to feed him this spring but he would not take any meals. Still had acceptable body weight, so I wasnt too worried. Found dead in its cage a short while later.

My conclusion is that the 16 mi N alterna 1 and 9 mi N alterna may
have done better in captivity had I treated them for parasites. I dont understand the shedding problems in the wc alterna. All of the cb alterna I have put on weight easily and shed without any problems, but the wc were not that way. I have to attribute that to possible parasites."

I posted his experience and conclusion for comments and to see whether any other keepers have had similar experiences. So far, knock on wood, I haven't. I do remember reading a recent post by Troy that suggested there was a link between mortality and too much moisture.

Thanks. RP

the head motion could be symptomatic of a neurological problem....which could be caused by infection/infestation of the central nervous system...the shed problem sounds like the dreaded "ZONATA" syndrome.....i know of one blair's from west langtry that developed this in captivity...it died........

I found a gravid alterna on 277 last year that laid 5 good eggs which all hatched. The snake fed well all year but as much as I offered the snake would only take one mouse a feeding and never put on good wt.. She was brumated for three months and bred but did not become graid this year. she still looks under wt.. How do I know if it's parasites without paying vet bills? Is it safe to tx for parasites if you only suspect?
Tom

Try getting a very basic microscope, an old used one or a cheap one that is part of the “Jr type” learning / discovery kits should do. You would want to find a very small vial (thimble sized or smaller) that you could get a fecal sample into and shake up a bit to make soup. Then fill it to the very top so that the water is beaded up just above the lip and let it sit for a moment so the critters can float up. Then set your slide down on top of that to pick up some of the water that is at the top. Drop your cover on it trying not to get any bubbles in there and then start looking it over. If anything is moving it is a parasite. To identify them may take some research time or help, but you should be able to tell if there are parasites or not. For the most part they tend to be large enough that this type of cheap equipment will do.

Been a very, very long time since I had to do anything like this, but I think I have the outline right to do a fecal float.

Buy a copy of: Understanding Reptile Parasites. To do a float you will either need to make a sugar solution, or purchase fecasol (you can get it through a vet for $16). You need a solution with a high specific gravity (I think that's the term) in order for the parasites to float up. You could also do a smear, stir up the feces in some water and put some of the solution on a slide. Not all the parasites will be moving; worm eggs will be stationary for example. The book I mentioned outlines the procedure for doing your own float and will also help with identifying parasites.

-Alice

I remember that being used with success..

Haven't heard of that one, but it sounds like it could work. I've always just done a direct smear or had my dog & cats' vet order me some fecasol.

-Alice