Son's Anery sadly died

Hi All

Not a great way to open my account on cornsnakes.com, but on Sunday my son's (who is just 11) Anery corn snake 'Buster' died! He hadn't eaten for his last two feeds, but seemed perfectly healthy on Saturday, all over his viv, and climbing on his vine. Our local reptile specialist who we got it from had given us tips on getting him to feed - braining, confinement etc etc, and said that he may be getting ready for a shed, as he was in his water quite a bit. He was only with us 4 weeks, was about 3 months old when he died, and was my son's first corn, so he was distraught - not a nice day.

Anyway viv temps were fine - 70s at the cold and 80s at the hot end. Water was changed everyday - in fact my son had proved us all wrong, by buying books with his pocket money and really researching everything before he got Buster. Also he went to the reptile shop regularly each weekend to find out more.

The odd thing was when we found him, there was about an inch of green discolouration on him just above the vent, and his eyes were very sunken. He almost looked partially desiccated, however had been drinking on Saturday.

Has anyone seen this before? From the posts here it seems that these sudden deaths do very occasionally happen in young corns.

Now planning Buster's replacement for my son, he thinks he would now like "something a bit redder" , so he is looking for a Sunglow, Okeetee, Carolina, or Hypo.

Cheers

Ian

Sorry to hear about your corn dude, i'd hate to loose my guy. I cant help you with the green discolouration but i hope someone on here can.

Welcome to the forum. I'm very sorry to hear about your son's corn. It sounds like it wasn't healthy when you bought it. I have only experienced the green stuff in my Anery that was a non feeder, so the pet store was either not feeding it or it wasn't eating for them. The sunken eyes is normally do to dehydration. I don't trust a lot of pet stores so I rarely buy animals from them but I did just buy a gecko from one, lol. I would suggest looking for a new corn on here this way you'll be able to talk to the breeder, find out about the animal and how they are being cared for, and ask any other questions you may have. Good luck finding a new corn and hope you enjoy being part of the forum.

Yup - I am talking to a couple of people here in the UK, if anyone has any recommendations on this I would really appreciate details of breeders / specialists who are trusted.

The local shop seemed fine - only sold reptiles, and seemed to have a good rep with the people I spoke to about them. There were people who come from quite a distance to get their reptiles from them, and also who use them as a holiday camp for their reptiles when they go on holiday. However you can never tell I guess. They only have snows in stock at present, so no good for 'Buster 2'.

Cheers

Ian

Sorry to hear you lost your little guy. Another member on here (tim66/corns) was telling me he lost one of his and also had refused the last two feedings and had green poop shortly before passing. When you get him another I would suggest one that is at least 6 mos old so you know its well started, I notice that scenario is most common with the really young ones.

I am very sorry about your son's loss his beloved Buster.

The green spot seen in every deceased corn snake is the gall bladder. It has nothing to do with the cause of death, but is simply something seen after death.

Your description does sound like a dehydrated snake. How are you measuring the temps in the viv as some methods are more accurate than others. Are you using an under-the-tank heater and/or a heat lamp?

At this time of year, you may have trouble finding just the right corn snake. There are quite a few members here from the UK that may be able to help you locate one, but you may have to wait until hatching time if the breeders are low or out of '08 hatchlings. You actually may be better off looking for an older, established snake ('07 or adult) to be Buster 2 in order to greatly increase your chance of not having to look for a Buster 3.

Thanks for the replies.

Buster seemed to be drinking a lot of fluids, and was seen regularly drinking from his water, but as he was in his 'hot' cave when he was found it may be de-hydration I guess.

Heating is using an under floor heat mat, stuck to the outside of the viv (more accurately a faunarium 24x12x12 - roughly). He was on paper kitchen towels, rather than aspen, so my son could get used to spotting poops! He had 2 exo-terra small caves - one in the cold zone, one in the hot.

Air temps taken using a thermo on the inside of the viv quite high up (this is normally about 70 to 72). Ground temps taken using a contact thermometer that I have (engineering background so have a whole armoury of measuring equipment) and were as posted previously. However will be investing in something we can hook up more permanently for Buster 2.

Thanks for the advice on looking for a more establised corn, after Sunday, I really don't want to have to get a Buster 3!

Cheers

Ian

Just my opinion, if you cant get a snakes eating records dont buy it. A lot of the majior chain pet stores in the US will house corns together in a small critter keeper. They do not keep any records as to when a snake has eaten.

I have a friend who returned a snake to Petco after nearly 2 weeks of it not eating (Which I know is not that uncommon). Since they have a 15 day return policy, he decided to take it back and exchange it for another snake. (They actually fed snakes in front of him and allowed him to pick one that ate)

A few days later he was back in the store and they had the same snake he had returned back in the cage for sale. All they care about is moving snakes.

Hi Ian

First of all, I just want to say how refreshing it is to speak to a new owner (yourself and your son) who have done so much research and have got everything covered. You can be sure this was just one of those sad cases where the little one was just never going to make it

I could put you in touch with a couple of breeders in Yorkshire but not anywhere near Shropshire, sadly. I'm sure some other UKers on the board will have some recommendations for you.

One small suggestion - perhaps next time, consider buying a "yearling". They cost more, but the breeder has spent time and money to rear them property and they will therefore be established feeders with no visible health problems.

I am sorry for your loss, but I'm sure your next snake will give you both many years of fun

Thanks for the reply.

If you could let me have details for the Yorkshire breeders that would be great, I don't mind travelling - we can make a day of it - I'd rather travel than go through last Sunday again!

Cheers

Ian

Unfortunately, some hatchlings have developmental problems that only materialise as they grow on. It's not unknown for a hatchling that seems perfectly healthy, to be found dead for no apparent reason. You can't really blame the shop or breeder as long as the babe seemed healthy when he was sold - it's just one of those things that happens. Sadly, nobody can foresee it. Buying a slightly older snake as suggested, would greatly reduce the risk of recurrence.

If the little chap died at the warm end of the viv, it would be possible for his body to seem dehyrated after a few hours.

Your setup certainly sounds absolutely fine. I'd be inclined to add more hides and ground cover (like plastic plants), although it sounds like Buster was perfectly happy with things.

Sorry that I'm not nearer to help with Buster 2.

hello Ian,sorry to hear about your sons snake.I have just bought my first amel motley,its about 4-5mths,had it two weeks now,fed it for the first time on sunday and it took it straight away,which was really pleasing.I bought mine at Lost World Reptiles in kent,and they are very helpful and any problems just go back.hope this helps clairew.

clairew, good to know about Lost world - thanks. I work in LOndon during the week so should be able to get to them.

bitsy, We think Buster had been in his warm cave for between 8 and 12 hours following death, and he was starting to show the tell-tale signs of decay. In his viv, Buster also had an artificial 'vine' that we bent into a climbing frame, including a basking section, and also had some artificial greenery, which he also liked to hide in.

Anyway viv has been disinfected, and is ready for Buster2 now. Just got to find a 'more colourful corn snake - lots of red and orange please' (my son's words), but we will be taking our time.

Cheers

Ian

I can recommend Crystal Palace reptiles if you're in London. Maplins sell digital thermometers with probe, which also give the max/min temperatures over 24 hours. I've got a laser thermometer too, but the digital ones are just as good.

Hi, Diamondlil

Thanks for the recommendation, have been on the phone to CPR this morning and they were very helpful. Am going to see them either tomorrow or Friday, and will let everyone know how I get on trying to find a Buster2.

Cheers

Ian

ivenner said:

Thanks for the reply.

If you could let me have details for the Yorkshire breeders that would be great, I don't mind travelling - we can make a day of it - I'd rather travel than go through last Sunday again!

Cheers

Ian

Click to expand...

I'll send you a PM just in case then.

The hunt for Buster 2 continues!

Hi All

Thanks for all the pointers, help and reassurance about the loss of Buster1. I have now visited one or two of the recommendations posted here, and Euan has made his choice on order of preference:

1/. Hypo Okeetee
2/. Aztec
3/. Carolina

So when I am back down in London this week, I'll be picking Buster2 up.

As a quick question, I notice that most of the Herp shops have their young stock on Aspen. Would this be a better choice than the kitchen paper/tissue we currently have in the viv? As per previous post, I put this down initially so Euan could spot poops etc.

however I guess if it was initially missed, and he got into the habit of changing the Aspen every week anyway, it wouldn't matter.

Also there seems to be some difference in what we read as far as feeding intervals. From shop we got Buster1 from we were told once a week which was the same as one of the books Euan bought. However some of the other references we have found suggest every 3 to 4 days.

What do teh panel think on both of these subjects?

Cheers

Ian, and Euan.

I like aspen. Snakes love to burrow in it! I use 2-3 inches. You don't have to completely change it out, at least until you have a big adult, or if you have a water spill. Just pick out the poo and surrounding aspen. So easy.

I like to feed babies every five days, and don't feel too horrible if I miss a day and they go six, very infrequently. Yes, a baby snake can survive on a seven day interval, and some breeders do this. But for one baby, for a person that has a lot of time- (isn't feeding a few hundred snakes) I think a five day schedule optimizes growth. Three to four days are less desireable for a couple reasons. It may increase the chances of a regurge, because the snake may not have time to completely digest the previous meal before being fed the next, and since you want to allow at least 48 hours for digestion, without any handling of the snake at all, if you are feeding every three or four days, you barely get to handle the snake.

hi,Ian,i have just gone out and bought the aspen,and i'm going to put it in tomorrow as i have recently fed my baby and want to let him digest first.Heard on here that they like to burrow.I'm new to all this as well and love this site,so much good info
.claire.

thanks Guys

Well it looks like I'll be putting some aspen on the shopping list as well.

Cheers

Ian