Young Milksnake Died -- Need Input

[vanderkm]

Ladyhawk,

glad to hear that everything has worked out well for you despite the loss of your Louisiana milksnake. They are a beautiful species and it is sad to lose one even when you have had it for a short time.

I just read through this thread and wanted to offer a couple comments to the original situation. While I am sure having just eaten a rather large meal did not help her situation, I would caution you about placing transport containers on the floor of a vehicle when travelling - it can often be the hottest place in the car (heat from the engine, drive train and exhaust system coming through a rather poorly insulated floor). Not sure if they were on the floor on the way back but you mentioned it on the drive there. A covering over the tubs may have reduced ventilation in addition to this and prevented cooling from the air conditioning system from circulating through the deli cup. I think your comment that the snakes felt warm when you handled them is a tip off that overheating may have been a factor. Most of ours thermoregulate to about 82-85 degrees body temperature, which feels cool to people because our body temp is almost 99 degrees. If these guys felt warm to you, they were likely well over 100 degrees, which - if prolonged - could have been a factor. Not sure this was the case, but something to consider in addition to the huge meal - and something to avoid in the future - especially with such little snakes that seem more limited in their ability to cope with stress.

Glad to hear you have a replacement and congrats on the Arizonas - they are one of the most beautiful species.


mary v.

[Ladyhawk]

Yeah, it's possible the heat contributed to the situation, so I will be extra cautious in the future. Two different herpers have told me that empty ice chests make good insulating containers for transporting snakes during inclement weather. (Of course, the lid must be lifted occasionally during long trips.) I do not want a repeat, whether or not regurgitation was the final blow.

It still saddens me greatly.

And yes, the Arizonas are great. I spent a few hours last night setting up an acceptable home for them. Today I have to an appropriate heat source for both of them.

I need to get some nice pictures of the male. He's lovelier than any picture I've seen.

My next

[Ladyhawk]

>sorry bout ur loss mate, but congrats on ur new snakes-how long did ur milksnake live 4? they r my fav snakes but im not allowed 2 hav 1 >

The milksnake that died lived 24 hours in my care. There are no herp vets close or I would have taken her. I felt that another long trip would do her in. It probably would have. Mostly, I tried to leave her alone. I did try to get her to drink. She only drank one mouthful. When I saw how weak she was I misted the enclosure so she could at least drink that way. I was up all night worrying about her. She showed great improvement the following day, then suddenly died.

I really like the little Louisianas, too. I have been told that milksnakes aren't good for handling, but my seventeen-inch male doesn't know that. He's actually quite curious about what I'm doing. He's still timid, but when he's curious, I see his head poking out of his hidey spot. I've even caught him watching the moving figures on the TV set, his head elevated off the ground like a cobra's. He's very cute. He's the snake wrapped around my hand in my avatar.

The nine-inch female is very timid and so nervous I think she needs to be left alone most of the time. I do handle her some. She usually runs from me when I go to pick her up and at first she tried to get away the whole time I handled her. Now, she stays mostly calm within my hands. She did bite me once, but a bite from a nine-inch non-venomous snake is rather laughable. Of course, I'm sure it was very serious for her, having this huge looming human holding her.

Can you imagine what life in the wild must be like for young Louisiana milks? You hatch out at a mere five inches and if you're lucky enough to live to a year old, you're still only nine or ten inches. Everything considers you dinner. That's why little milksnakes are so spooky.

In time she'll be as mellow as Bayou. I have no doubt. Milksnakes just need to grow into it.

[CDN-Cresties]

Sorry about the loss Congrats on your new snake, good luck with him/her Im glad everything worked out for you.

-Steve-

[Ladyhawk]

Thanks! I now have four live beautiful snakes. Ssssh! Don't tell the landlady! I intend to do my best by them!