What the heck is happening? Help me please.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Ok heres a question I have 4 babies remaining out of 7 that I kept. What happened. Im confused. They have what they need in there.. Clean water and hides and things to climb on and the temps are perfect. I have 1 tiny tiny baby that I was going to send to PA But I dont know anymore cause the other little one that was going to PA died today. What did I do wrong? Did I just pick the ones that had problems at birth or what? When a litter is born say 23 how many of those will actully survive. Please help me understand why this is happening.

[guidofatherof5]

To explain what happened would be impossible.
It's just something that will happen to anyone that keeps/breeds garter snakes.
I lost 6 out of 7 baby Northwesterns and I don't know why.
Hang in there.

[infernalis]

What Steve said..

I lose babies every year. (failure to thrive)

[RedSidedSPR]

Does the term "failure to thrive" apply to snakes that are eating but still don't make it?

Just curious.

[katach]

Where are they being kept? Are you using any chemicals to clean the tank? Are any chemicals being sprayed in the air near them? Are you using purified water, or regular tap water? Do you wash your hands before handling them?

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't think she's doing anything wrong... The snakes just weren't meant to make it.

[dieselbaby]

so sorry to hear the baby didnt make it. Obviously i dont have the answer but i can offer my condolences.

[katach]

Not saying she's doing anything wrong, there are just things that we do that we don't really think anything about. They were just ideas I was throwing out there. I know she did everything she can for them, and I'm very sorry for the losses.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Thank you all. I would wash my hands before and after handleing them also before and after handleing their food. I spray nothing by them and when I clean their tank I use Dove and lots and lots of hot water. I have read some much in here and follow all you on what can be done and the temp. I know you werent saying I did anything wrong. I would have said those things when I started the thread if I wouldve thought of them. Thank you for asking. I have also read a lot of you guys talking about loseing babies before but I just didnt know if there was a certain snake thing or what. I was just curious. I have 3 great great eaters and one that is off and on for her size. Its Whiplash. I call her that cause she tries to whip around when you first pick her up and then after a couple she calms down. She is so so tiny and I hope that doesnt mean anything. I dont notice if her size is something to worry about. The eating is what Im worried about. I hope she starts eating more soon. The other 2 are atleast 2x her size.

[katach]

Dove? Would that leave a residue on the glass or plastic? Or get in the substrate?

[kibakiba]

It likely would. Using 1 part bleach to 10 parts water is a lot better.

[katach]

Then rinse the heck out of it.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Our water is super hot and I rinse it and then dry it and then rinse it really good and let it set dry.When I smell it I dont smell a single thing. I am very safe . I have kept garters just not babies until now. I wouldve love to try this a l;ong time ago cause I had some babies from other litters cause There was some that were so awesome looking I wish I coulda done it.. I was just scared. It isnt as bad as what I thought but it is hard emotionally. Man it is hard. But I will still do it and get better at it.. Thank you all for the support and help I really do apprieate it.

[d_virginiana]

I seriously doubt that residue from the Dove is harming them at all, but it never hurts to be a little paranoid. To clean my frog's tank, I wash it out with apple cider vinegar and then rinse it until you can't smell anything. It's a very easy cleaning method, and since it's used mainly on amphibians, it's one of the safest ones out there since they're so sensitive.

It just happens with babies sometimes. You can do everything right and still end up with a lot of deaths. Sorry for your losses, hopefully you won't have to deal with any more.

[kibakiba]

ACV is good for cleaning.. using 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water is great for cleaning, and once it dries, it has no smell at all.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

I think Id rather use vinager. Thank you for everyone help.

[Mommy2many]

Other alternatives are lemon juice and baking soda. Just remember to rinse very well.

[brain]

For cleaning, I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green then risethoroughly with hot water.

[katach]

I use simple green too. It's all natural and biodegradable. I use a 25/75 mix though. It works great!