My beautiful, juvenile red-spotted (Cholula was her name) died suddenly today. She had appeared in perfect health, had been eating almost every-other day or so (2-4 live, wild-caught minnows each time), and was active enough. I'd thought she'd had her second shed, though when she died, her eyes were millky when she died and it made me start wondering if I'd simply missed my other garter (a florida blue) shedding a third time and assumed it was her.

She was an absolutely wonderful garter, and unequivocally my favorite snake. She would watch me when I walked past the terrarium, come up to me when I put my hand in, and even allow me to pick her up occassionally for some sun-bathing on our porch. I am depressed about all of this...

I am just wondering if other people have experienced something like this (being so unexpected and all) and if there are any potential explanations beyond the simple, cruel hand of fate. I have suspected that she was the "runt" in the litter as she was always undersized and extremely docile, and that certainly seems confirmed in this turn of events...