Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have Male Mexican Pueblan Milk Snake that has not eaten in over 6 mos. Took to vet. Found 3 tumors. Please advise what is humane method to euthanize. Thanks, Don

hopefully someone with legit facts will chime in on this.

personally, i've always just put the animal in question in a pillow case and placed it in the freezer. my thinking based on what I was told by several herpers years ago was that the animal basically slows down and drifts off into death without any pain or panic. I used that method 3 times.

however a couple years ago I heard that ice crystals can form in the snake's brain using that method and it can be painful. luckily I haven't had to euthanize and animal in quite some time.

my gut feeling is that decapitation is probably the most humane for the snake, but could be rough on the keeper, not to mention if you get it wrong on the first attempt the snake would certainly be in a great deal of pain.

a CO2 chamber has the possibility of working well, but with the super slow metabolism of a snake, it would probably take a while if you didnt increase the amount of CO2 quickly, but that would cause stress and panic.

Aaron, Thanks very much for your response. I don't think I want to put it in a freezer but will consider other measures. Don

I would call or see a vet. They have a reptile sedative.

I have heard of people refridgerating the snake to slow it down thinking it will sedate it, then decapitating it. Not sure how the snake feels.

Do a search on brain pithing (spelling?). It is where you drive a spike (nail) into the snake's brain. Supposedly the most humane way even though it sounds like the worst. Since snakes have pea brains, you would have to know where. A vet could be the best source of info.

Uncomfortable subject, but it is something we all should be aware of. I am going to the vet with my dog next week, and I will ask them about this subject.

Thanks Mark, I plan on having the snake euthanized by a vet and have already discussed this with her. Don