Found a new snake!

[EasternGirl]

It's the weirdest thing...I was just thinking about the post from the new member about the snake she found out in the cold today...and then I got to thinking about how I found Selena this time last year in my basement. So, I thought...maybe I should check the basement for snakes trying to come in out of the cold...and would you believe it? I see something wiggling around in the dark in the back of the basement...She is about the size of Selena...about a foot and a half long, and I'm pretty positive it's a female. The poor thing was terribly dirty, as she came out from under a rusty old freezer we have in our basement. I almost got my first snake bite...as she is quite spunky and scared. She seems a bit cold, probably dehydrated and hungry. I gave her a little lukewarm bath and some water and put some worm pieces in for her...she is in a separate enclosure from Cee Cee and Selena, of course. She is flailing about and freaking out a bit still...will try to get pics later. I think she may have mites, so I'll need you guys to tell me how to get rid of those...I know it isn't easy! I hope she is healthy and can join my other girls in the future. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Good luck with your new found friend.
Why do you think she has mites?

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I did the paper towel test and I don't think she has mites...but I do think she may be sick...She just laid in my hands not moving for the longest time...she is very listless now...I don't know what's going on.

[guidofatherof5]

Probably not much you can do at this point.
Keep her hydrated and warm.
Time will tell if she was found soon enough.
Hopes and prayers coming your way.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks, Steve...do you think I should put a heat lamp on her at this point, or would that be too much too soon? She isn't moving much...I just don't know about this poor girl...

[guidofatherof5]

I'd let her warm to the room temp. for awhile.
Then you can add the lamp in a day or so.
Just my opinion.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks, Steve...your opinion always means a lot to me! Do you think it will get too cold in here at night though? It's been getting down in the 20's and 30's at night...although, I don't think it ever drops below 60 degrees in my house...

[guidofatherof5]

It will be a lot warmer then the cold basement floor. ;)

[EasternGirl]

Very true!

[EasternGirl]

Okay here are some pics of Sadie...I decided to name her even if she doesn't make it because she is such a sweet girl...she deserves to have a name. She loves to just sit in my hand...probably because it's so warm...but she is still very listless...so only time will tell...there is a pic for sexing too...

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[guidofatherof5]

I wish that tail was nice and straight.
I'm saying male. It stays wide long enough.

[EasternGirl]

Really? Uh oh! I wish I had a better camera...I took that pic with one hand while holding the snake in the other...tomorrow I can get Julian to take a pic while I hold the tail straight...if he/she makes it through the night. I say "uh oh" because that means that I will have to get the other tank ready then...I don't want to put a male in with the girls. Guess I will have to find another name too...

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/000_0009.jpg

[katach]

She could be just super stressed. Glad you found her.

[EasternGirl]

Right, Steve...I agree...and changed his name, accordingly, to Sammy. I will now have something to do tomorrow...I will get up in the morning and start working on building a nice viv for Sammy. I am hoping you're right, Kat. He seems to be doing a bit better now...he pooped and started exploring his surroundings in the temporary enclosure I have him in. I do hope he makes it because he is a super sweetie...he will just sit in my hand and enjoy the warmth. I think he will be a good snake to finally get Julian to try to hold a snake. He won't hold Cee Cee or Selena...they are a bit too jumpy for him and I don't think it's a good idea for him or the snakes...

[guidofatherof5]

Right, Steve...I agree...and changed his name, accordingly, to Sammy. I will now have something to do tomorrow...I will get up in the morning and start working on building a nice viv for Sammy. I am hoping you're right, Kat. He seems to be doing a bit better now...he pooped and started exploring his surroundings in the temporary enclosure I have him in. I do hope he makes it because he is a super sweetie...he will just sit in my hand and enjoy the warmth. I think he will be a good snake to finally get Julian to try to hold a snake. He won't hold Cee Cee or Selena...they are a bit too jumpy for him and I don't think it's a good idea for him or the snakes...

Keep both names in hand. I simply made a guess on what I saw.
A better photo might prove me wrong.
Just going with my first impression with the evidence available.;)

[EasternGirl]

Gotcha...I will put up a better pic tomorrow. He/she seems to be doing pretty well now...more active...exploring the enclosure. Now for a question on a different topic...I am reading some posts and hearing about diet supplements and wondering if I should be giving supplements to my snakes...I made note of the supplement powder that you use...do you think I should be using that?

[katach]

depends on what you are feeding. if you are feeding just worms or just fish, then dust. if you mix in pinkie parts and they go for it, probably no need to dust.

[EasternGirl]

Well...they go long periods of time when all they will eat is fish. I was feeding them just fish for a while...but then I realized from reading posts on here how unbalanced that was so now I have been trying to alternate with worms and I went out and bought some pinkies the other day...they get picky of course, and all they want is fish...but I am going to try mixing pinkies and worms in with the fish and so forth. I think I will go ahead and buy the supplement so that I have it in case.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...here is a better tail pic...def male, huh? I just don't know what to think...he was doing so much better last night and I was all ready to set up a viv for him today...but now he is all sluggish again. Is it possible that he was in brumation and something happened...like I'm thinking he fell through to the basement? Or perhaps because it was 70 degrees here three days ago and then it suddenly dropped to 40 degrees, it threw his system into shock? His body seems very cold.

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[EasternGirl]

I went ahead and moved Sammy to a viv...but I have had time to really watch him and assess the situation a bit further. Something is definitely wrong...he isn't moving right...he inches along like an inchworm and flails when he tries to move...he can't slither properly...and he is very lethargic, but he is alert, pooping, and his tongue is flicking. I'm not sure what is going on...

[guidofatherof5]

From that latest tail photo I will still say male.

[EasternGirl]

Yes, I agree...like you said, no taper at all. I just don't know what else to do for the poor little guy...I'm not sure what is going on with him. Do you think I should try putting some heat on him at this point?

[guidofatherof5]

At this point I don't think it can do any harm.
Good luck.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks for your help, Steve.

[EasternGirl]

Sammy didn't make it. He died this morning while I was holding the poor little guy... I noticed he was in trouble and stiffening up really bad and gasping, so I just took him out of the viv and held him until he passed. I don't know if he had internal injuries or if he got into bug spray in our basement...I'm really sad to see him go...he was such a sweet snake...R.I.P. little Sammy...

[infernalis]

Condolences for the loss. At least you tried your best.

[EasternGirl]

Thank you...people who don't "get" snakes like we do, do not understand why I am so sad today...my family thinks I'm bonkers holding a little dead snake with tears in my eyes. I nursed that poor little fellow for two days...and try telling people who don't understand garters that Sammy had such a sweet personality...then they really think you've gone mad!

[dieselbaby]

so sorry for your loss. It was an injured snake that stole my heart a some months back, and yep non snake people just dont get why you are so upset. Been there done that. Again so sorry you lost the lil fella. He is at peace now, least he didnt die alone and cold.

[d_virginiana]

Sorry for your loss. At least he got to live his last few days somewhere nice and warm. :(

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry for your loss.
The nice thing is Sammy died with someone caring for him.
Thanks for investing yourself in that little wayward snake.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks you guys...what helps is having people who understand like my friends here on the forum:o. I am going to take Sammy outside and give him a little burial under the trees today. I guess that is the reason I found him...so that he wouldn't have to be alone when he died.

In memory of Sammy:

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[kibakiba]

That's what I did with Speckles, I was holding her when she died, and we buried her under our willow tree.

[EasternGirl]

I took Sammy out a little while ago and buried him in a little hole in the backyard...said a little prayer for him.

[kibakiba]

He died happy, with someone to care about him and love him before he died. :)

[EasternGirl]

I think so...he seemed like a happy little guy...I was actually suprised when he passed this morning because he was doing well and happily exploring last night. I mean, he was having a lot of trouble moving but he seemed to be improving. Anyway, he seemed to be happy sitting in my hand...

[katach]

So sorry to hear Sammy didn't make it. You did your best for him.

[EasternGirl]

Thank you, Kat.