Newby need of Help With Snake Troubles

So yesterday I found my snake on his back not moving. I tried to get him to move but nothing. I thought he was dead, but later in the night my Uncle happened to show up and said that it was normal. The snake isn't bloated either. Can anyone tell me of it is actually normal to have a non moving snake that seems dead in the winter?

What kind of snake? Is this your pet or one you found outside?

Ball python he is my pet

Obviously common sense will tell you that if your pet his on it's back and not moving there is something very wrong that need to be addressed by a VET not on a forum.

There are several possibilities that could lead to something like that, snake kept in extreme cold temps and froze, over heated snake which would lead to neurological issue which can be temporary or permanent, chemical exposure, near death due to other ailment.

Can you tell us? Age, Size, Enclosure Type, Temperture, How you measure your temps (type of thermomether) etc

Nevermind he's actually dead. I'm sorry..

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Originally Posted by NewbySnakeOwner

Nevermind he's actually dead. I'm sorry..

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That sucks! How long did you have it?

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Originally Posted by NewbySnakeOwner

Nevermind he's actually dead. I'm sorry..

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Can you tell us about how you kept him? Temps, humidity, how you measured those? As Deborah said before there are several things that could've killed him

I don't know why your uncle would think that. Reptiles get slow and sluggish when cold but if your husbandry is right then the snake shouldn't have known it was winter. I have never seen a living snake lay on its back, not a live one anyways

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

I don't know why your uncle would think that. Reptiles get slow and sluggish when cold but if your husbandry is right then the snake shouldn't have known it was winter. I have never seen a living snake lay on its back, not a live one anyways

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Uncles prob watched one of those wildlife documentaries where some creatures lie on their back and PLAY dead


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First off, OP, sorry for your loss.

The only species of snake that I know of that will lay on its back is the hognose. They will, although it's rare, flip themselves over to "play dead" as a last resort defense tactic.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case with your BP. No offense to your uncle, but his info was way off.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't discourage you from getting another snake, they are awesome animals.

I’m really curious as to what happened. Did the snake starve? Did it get overheated and “cook?” Did it get too cold and get an RI or organ failure?


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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

I’m really curious as to what happened. Did the snake starve? Did it get overheated and “cook?” Did it get too cold and get an RI or organ failure?


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Same here

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

Same here

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my guess would be he got way too cold, possibly even dehydrated... was he eating? shedding? pooping? best way to prevent in the future is to have a digital thermometer/hygrometer on each side of your tank and monitor them. I check mine twice a day, especially because I'm in CT and it's 2degrees outside right now... because other than a few good hides and an appropriatly sized terrarium, as long husbandry is good your snake should be fine.

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Originally Posted by jcorsaletti

my guess would be he got way too cold, possibly even dehydrated... was he eating? shedding? pooping? best way to prevent in the future is to have a digital thermometer/hygrometer on each side of your tank and monitor them. I check mine twice a day, especially because I'm in CT and it's 2degrees outside right now... because other than a few good hides and an appropriatly sized terrarium, as long husbandry is good your snake should be fine.

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It got down to 30 here and that was more than cold enough for me. Its 63 right now and will be back in the upper 70s for the next few weeks. It's harder to keep a cool spot than a warm one. Husbandry is almost to easy in central Florida. It's warm and humid most of the year

Your loss sucks but before you decide to get another one you might want to answer some of the questions asked.