MC's Snakes

[MCwyo]

Thanks Steve. I just wish I could pinpoint what happened. I cannot find any explanation, and that makes it harder. I've been watching the others like a hawk, I'm so scared I'll find another dead baby. But they all seem to be doing good, eating, pooping, swiming, climbing. Even the 4 non-eaters are keeping up (energy wise) with the largest of the bunch.

[Invisible Snake]

Sorry for your loss

In my personal opinion I think its too early to jump to the conclusion of failure to thrive without knowing some more details on the little one.
What was he eating? And has he been eating consistently? Up until his death was he active and alert? Anything out of the ordinary with him?

[MCwyo]

The little one was eating farm raised frozen thawed salmon with no additives, which is the same thing that everyone else is eating. Across the litter, it was an average eater and had an average energy level. I do think it spent more time resting prior to it's death than was usual. The increased ammount of rest beginning maybe 24 hours or so before death? The scrub was housed with two other babies at the time it died, and both are currently 100% normal.

[Invisible Snake]

Hmm.. that's weird that he was doing good and then suddenly died, I'm sorry that I can't help you pinpoint the cause of death. The reason I don't think it was FTT is because usually the animal doesn't eat and displays noticeable signs, like poor eating habits, not as active/alert, etc.

[MCwyo]

Yes... just the only thing I could think of. But maybe it sustained an injury from one of the other snakes, or some aspect of the habitat, that did not leave any visible marks?

[chris-uk]

I think it's likely, although I have no evidence either way, that some baby snakes are born with congenital defects which are not immediately fatal but are incompatible with long term survival. As baby snakes die and aren't necropsied it's not one that can be proved, but most animals (humans included) have some infant mortality that doesn't get explained.
Probably the best example of something to illustrate this is a human born with patent ductus arteriosis (hole in the heart) which until relatively recent times would result in the death of a baby while still young.

Sorry for your loss MC, I think some things are just unexplained.

[Invisible Snake]

That's exactly what I was thinking Chris!

Maybe the little snake had some under developed internal organs.

[ProXimuS]

^My thoughts exactly...And you have to think the whole littler doesn't always survive, that's why animals like that have so many babies. But it's still very sad. Sorry it was one of your favorites too

[MCwyo]

Thanks all. Just wanted to give a quick update on a happier note. One of the scrubs shed last night! She came out a very pale silver color. I will try to get some photos. There are 3-4 others that will probably shed within the week.

Ember is growing like a beast! Or at least she seems to be. She's somewhere around 11"-12" now, as best as I can measure & I believe she's around 2 1/2 months old. She seemed so tiny when I found her.

Here's a few "just because" photos...


By mccpc at 2012-08-22


By mccpc at 2012-08-22

[snake man]

Aww that last picture is awsome,