Baby redsided died

[Cfleming]

So I was doing my morning checks on the reptiles. When I got to the baby garters I found one dead. Not quite sure what happened. It was acting fine last night. Nothing out of the ordinary. It had a lump just about an inch bellow its head that looked like a feeding lump, but it was last feed two days ago. Temps are mid 80s on warm side upper 70s on cool. Its been feeding on chopped nightcrawlers and guppies. Anyone else have anything like this happen?

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear about your loss.
What kind of substrate are you using?

[snakehill]

Just lost mine about an hour ago:(

[Cfleming]

I am using papetowel as substrate.

Sorry for your loss snakehill. Any idea why yours died?

[guidofatherof5]

I am using papetowel as substrate.

Just wonder if your snake possibly swollowed some substrate.
Not likely with paper towels.

[RdubSnider]

Sorry for your loss

[snakehill]

I would say due to my inexperience when it comes to raising baby garters. What was I thinking!:(

[ConcinusMan]

Perhaps an enlarged heart or aneurysm causing fluid/blood to build up in that area? There's no way to really know what killed it without a necropsy by a qualified vet.

I don't even question it anymore when a baby dies suddenly for no apparent reason. These things just happen sometimes even if you do everything right.

[infernalis]

I would say due to my inexperience when it comes to raising baby garters. What was I thinking!:(

Neither of you should beat yourselves up over this.

It's not that uncommon. we like to simply call it "failure to thrive"

every year I lose a few babies, it's just one of those things.

[d_virginiana]

Sorry for both of your losses. :(

Like Infernalis said, it just happens sometimes. Sometimes you can do everything right and still lose one.

[RedSidedSPR]

I would say due to my inexperience when it comes to raising baby garters. What was I thinking!:(

Not your fault. Very sorry for your loss.

[RicMartin]

Sorry for your losses.

[Mommy2many]

Sorry to hear of the losses.

[snakehill]

Chris, I am very sorry for your loss too! I would like to thank everyone else for your kind words and encouragement! I'm not sure how to describe what I'm feeling right now. Devastated? The funny thing is I can't stay off this forum, I enjoy it too much! So I'll keep reading everyones posts and hopefully will learn more about garters snakes! I'll still enjoy the wild garters I encounter in the field! Thanks again!:cool:

[guidofatherof5]

I hope another garter makes its way into your life at another time.
Maybe it will be a radix;)

[snakehill]

Steve you made me cry! Stop that! I actually wanted a Red Plains. A Red Sided was my second choice. I would definately have to get a juvie or adult that already eats pinks! Not now though, maybe some day down the road. ;)