Ball python possibly dying

[mandalorian]

So I went in the garage this morning to find him DEAD turned over on his back solid as wood

sorry to hear that. let us know if you decide to get another one so we can give you some tips on preventing him/her from escaping...

[Annarose15]

So I went in the garage this morning to find him DEAD turned over on his back solid as wood

My sympathies for your loss, but wasn't it in the low 40s last night in Cali? Is your garage climate-controlled?

[WarriorPrincess90]

This may seem silly, but is it possible he could have been bitten by the spider you found him next to? Was it be venomous by any chance? I don't know if spider venom would even effect a snake, but thought I'd ask.

So sorry for your loss.

[SidReptiles]

sorry to hear that. let us know if you decide to get another one so we can give you some tips on preventing him/her from escaping...

Yes I plan to get another one as soon as I find an baby Python.

[SidReptiles]

My sympathies for your loss, but wasn't it in the low 40s last night in Cali? Is your garage climate-controlled?

I'm not sure of the temp last night, Yeah it is. But his tank was 92 in the basking spot.

[Missy King]

I don't think you should be having snakes if you can't keep it in it's cage, and keep it's cage in the house where it won't freeze to death or burn it's belly or get spider bitten or whatever happened. Sad waste of snake.

[SpencerShanks]

This may seem silly, but is it possible he could have been bitten by the spider you found him next to? Was it be venomous by any chance? I don't know if spider venom would even effect a snake, but thought I'd ask.

So sorry for your loss.

That was my first thought as well. Makes more sense than being too cold and found next to a spider with red spots on its belly.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Sounds more like cold shock syndrome to me. Ball pythons are very sensitive to cold, and develop neurological symptoms.

If they make it through a couple of weeks after warmup, they're usually ok, but may have some long term impairments. Sudden death isn't uncommon with cold shock syndrome, though.

http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/...fCold_BCHS.pdf

The spider was probably incidental. As for the red spots on the belly--who knows. A burn, or injury of some kind, perhaps.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I agree with the others, a ball python shouldn't be kept in a garage unless it is heated. Even if you can provide a hot side with proper temps the ambiant temperature will get too cold. Ball pythons do not smell or make any noise so I see no reason why it couldn't be inside. And if escaping is an issue just get 4 bricks and stick them ontop of the screen lid.

[SidReptiles]

There is no way possible I could keep him in the house I had to persuade my dad to let me get it in the first place. Imagine if he would of got away in the house. In addition it look like an woodlouse spider it ran away once I grabbed the snake.