2-ft Adult Garter Drowned in Shallow Water Dish w/Ramp

[Tzacol]

I found him coiled in the bottom this morning. I have no idea how or why he drowned himself, the water level is 2 inches high, there's even a ramp leading out of it for my 2 little garters. The little garters have no issues at all getting out. Any ideas? :(

[snakegirl909]

Sorry about your loss! :(
Guessing he didn't drown. Garter snakes are great swimmers.
It was most likely from something else. from what, I don't know. Was this animal wild caught?

[d_virginiana]

Definitely didn't drown... Or if he did drown, it's because he had a heart attack or seizure while in the water dish. There's no way a healthy adult would drown in that much water. Nothing wrong with the dish setup you described.

[Tzacol]

Yeah, my garters are all wild caught. I've never had one do this though. Can it be prevented in the future?

[snakegirl909]

It really could be anything. Wild caught garters always have some sort of parasite, but I doubt that would kill him. Was probably a problem he had before you got him.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry for your loss. I agree, some other issue caused the death. Probably went to the water for comfort.

[Tzacol]

Thanks for the answers. I've still got my favorite garter though so I'm happy I didn't lose him. He has a different pattern than most of the garters I see, instead of being black with a yellow stripe, he's brown with black spots and a faint yellow stripe.

[snakegirl909]

Off topic I know, but I would love to see a picture :D

[slipknot711]

id like pictures too!

[Tzacol]

Took a while to figure out how to get a photo off my iPod, but here it is. :)

11330

[Tzacol]

He's also the most voracious eater haha.

[slipknot711]

very cute, good looking snake.

[zeluz1993]

Do you know where to get more that look like him? I'd love a female would love to try some color mixing with my new breeders and one like that

[Mommy2many]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I agree he probably went there for comfort as they are excellent swimmers. I pulled my Florida Blue out one day thinking he was dead. He was "resting". Under water. In the water dish. He must have had some issue for that to happen. I wouldn't concern yourself with trying to prevent this from happening. I don't think you can.

[snakegirl909]

Do you know where to get more that look like him? I'd love a female would love to try some color mixing with my new breeders and one like that
Look around and talk to breeders. Check in the classifieds section on here. Good luck finding one.
Just saw the picture now, a nice looking snake you got :D

[Blackavar15]

That really sucks, especially since you don't know what caused it. Hopefully it isn't contagious. The one in the picture has such an awesome pattern!!!! I see a lot of really neat morphs in Michigan, but it's illegal to sell babies from wild caught individuals here :(