My dad just found Mozart in my front yard, dead. He was fresh, uninjured, and well-fed. It appears he somehow made it through the winter by hibernating, but came out a little too early and froze.

Yknow, I didn't cry when he went missing, or any time since then. But now, actually seeing him dead, I want to. I guess I just feel more guilty than anything. If I had just been more careful (though I still honestly have no idea how it happened), I'd still have a beautiful, healthy leucistic rat snake in my room.

Still, I'm glad we found him. I'd rather know he was dead than wonder what happened to him for the rest of my life. I'm still amazed that he survived the winter and managed to not be attacked by a bird or stray cat or something. I mean not only was he a hatchling, but he was a luecistic. He was a tough little guy, I gotta give him credit.

Rest in peace, Mozart.