Well, tonight is a sad night. I went to feed two of my colubrids and found my snow corn female Vera passed away. It's totally unexpected and I'm at a loss for words really. I got her at the Phx Expo in November '11 at 33 grams: she would have been three years old this month on the 22nd.

I did notice though just two days ago her slowly opening and closing her mouth though: I've never seen her or any other one of my snakes do this before and knew it wasn't normal. I believe this may have had something to do with her passing: but at the time I thought it just a weird quirk.

I have her in the fridge and I believe she's been gone for under 24 hrs as only her top 1/4 was stiff (head and part of her neck): the rest of her body was still soft. I don't believe it's too late for a necropsy: I'll be calling my vet tomorrow.

I just don't know what happened and am worried about the others in my snake room. She was fed the same feeders that I've been feeding my other colubrids and balls: none are acting differently. She didn't have any odd lumps, coloring, or otherwise on her body: her mouth was open though and under her was some bloody substance that came from her mouth (like she coughed it up).

I'm just upset and crying, I hate this part of owning pets. It never gets easier: have it be a reptile or mammal.

Thanks for reading,
Angelica



When I first brought her home:



Last pic taken back in May: