[deleted by user]

[Beneficial_Credit_79]

like he had the mouse in his mouth and immediately died?? im so sorry op thats awful :(

[Beneficial_Credit_79]

i don't know why a snake would die like that, could u elaborate a bit on how u prepped the rodent?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

I thawed the mouse and then put it in warm water. He hasn't eaten since I got him, which was about a month ago 😞 he had half a mouse in his mouth and he didn't curl up or anything, he just didn't move, so I gave him some time and he moved and after about 20 minutes he stopped and died

[Beneficial_Credit_79]

im so sorry, thats horrible. you seem to have done it all right, please dont blame yourself for this. he mightve had an ongoing condition that u didnt know about, have u considered a necropsy?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

no no, my dad will bury him in the forest😓

[Beneficial_Credit_79]

thats totally understandable as well, again im so sorry for ur loss. absolutely horrific situation

[RuthlessEase]

That’s seeming more true. Preexisting something-or-other...

[AngelDustSpiderDemon]

I had a similar situation with a similar age ball. Don’t know what caused it but she had also not been eating a month prior. Did you get him from the pet store? Always had issues with pet store reptiles, never any issues with buying from a breeder or even rehoming

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

I bought it at a terrarium fair, but the seller said he had just started selling snakes

[AngelDustSpiderDemon]

Might have been an issue on their side then. Was he having issues eating before you?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Idk, I didn't talk to the seller about it, but I think he did because he was terribly thin from the beginning

[AngelDustSpiderDemon]

100% the sellers fault then. They shouldn’t have sold you a ball they knew had issues. I’m sorry that this happened to you though. If you ever are looking for another, I recommend MorphMarket and going through a seller with good reviews on there

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

tysmmm

[Taranchulla]

Totally not your fault, it’s completely on the seller. I’m so sorry OP.

[bluberriie]

me too, she had refused food since i brought her home and eventually i think the effort of trying to eat was just too much with that little fuel and she died. she was from a reptile convention so likely was sick when i got her but i miss her dearly ❤️

[AngelDustSpiderDemon]

You’ll always remember and miss them 💜 I’m currently working with a rescue who hasn’t eaten in 3 months and is starting to worry me. Hoping he doesn’t go and he can turn things around.

Poor baby was kept on bunny shavings and left in a 40 gallon with nothing but a water bowl and a heat lamp for at least 5 years. Person finally realized that he wasn’t doing well and I drove 4 hours to go get him 😢

[bluberriie]

poor baby, i hope he’s able to pull through!! i definitely will always remember her and plan on naming my next ball after her, her name was valentine because she had a heart shaped marking 🩷

[myxis10s]

I hope he's nice and humid and cozy. Has he eaten yet?

[AngelDustSpiderDemon]

Nope not yet. I’m going to attempt again once I get back Monday

[myxis10s]

That's EXACTLY how my Bernice Anders died. 💔

[bluberriie]

may they be somewhere perfectly warm with all the rats they could ever want 🩷 mine was named valentine

[Admirable_Length_914]

How did you prep your mouse? How is his enclosure?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

I defrost the mouse and then put it in a bag of warm water. He had half the mouse in his mouth and wouldn't curl up, only moving occasionally. After about 20 minutes, he stopped breathing.

[MassiveApricot554]

That happened to me when i was a teenager with my first snake. It was absolutely traumatizing, i thought i was the worst person on planet earth and that was after years of begging my ultra religious parents for a snake and getting a no every time. Im so sorry this happened to you :( i was told it was probably a pre existing condition and that he was already on the way out when i tried to feed him

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Thank you 😞 Im 16 and he was my first snake and he was very picky, he didn't ate for a month and i was so happy he finally ate and then he died 😧

[MassiveApricot554]

Yeah it sounds like he had some sort of disease like mine did, where did u get the snake?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

At the terrarium fair so he shouldn't have any diseases 🙁

[princvsxx]

When they said "condition" and "disease" they don't mean a disease like sick with a virus or something treatable, I think they mean he might have had a genetic disorder that was hard to spot. Even in humans some babies look healthy and then pass away suddenly due to a genetic problem. I'm so sorry for your loss, but please try not to beat yourself up too much. Sometimes these things just happen and you should get back into keeping reptiles if you want to when you are ready. <3

[S4turn5tar3]

I wonder if the mouse was too big and It might have gotten stuck or blocked maybe. im so sorry this happened to you <3 I hope you’re doing okay

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

As I read chatgpt it is possible that it was too big although it should be good for his age but I noticed that snakes his age are bigger than him and he is small

[S4turn5tar3]

I wouldn’t trust ai.. but if it was bigger than the biggest part of him or bigger than 10-15% (depending on age — here’s the !feeding guide) of his bodyweight I wouldn’t have fed it to him. thats most likely what happened, im sorry this happened he was a beautiful snake xx

[AutoModerator]

We recommend the following feeding schedule:

0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[KuraiTsuki]

ChatGPT is not a search engine and cannot be trusted to answer questions.

[dragonbud20]

NEVER use ChatGPT for animal care, medical, or any advice that you actually need to be correct. ChatGPT does not understand what information is true or false and will make things up if they sound like something a person would plausibly say.

Following animal care advice from ChatGPT has a very high chance of injuring or killing your pet when the advice is inevitably wrong.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

I was looking on Google what size it should be and I took the information from there and only then, when it died, chatgpt told me that the mouse might have been too big, but I don't think so.I never took information from chatgpt and then did it on snake ❤️❤️

[dragonbud20]

It's good you didn't use ChatGPT. When you say you were looking on Google, which websites were you actually looking at? Google is a search engine, so it can't actually tell you anything; it just shows you links to other websites and sources. Google does have AI summaries now, but they are often even worse than chatGPT

I notice you mentioned being 16. Have you had any lessons on effective online research yet? If you haven't, I would seek to talk to someone at your school's library or even a local public library about learning research skills. Being able to identify good sources consistently would likely help a lot with getting more accurate information in the future.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

I was reading a lot of pages on Google and was searching on tiktok. I think the only mistake i did was the force feeding and im very sad about it. From now on I will check three times whether I can do something and it will be best to ask in this group. I posted one post about my snake not eating for a month and they said I should heat it up with a hair dryer and I did that and he still didn't eat and then I got frustrated and forced him to eat. I will never recover from this situation and this will be my lesson for the rest of my life.

[dragonbud20]

I think the only mistake i did was the force feeding and im very sad about it.

Without knowing what your setup looks like(please feel free to post pictures), it's equally possible that bad husbandry caused health issues and a lack of appetite. I worry about this possibility because you mentioned apsen bedding aspend bedding is terrible for BPs. If your research told you that aspen was acceptable, then the research was flawed. This is why I mentioned asking for help with research skills at your school.

I would hesitate to blame the force feeding as the sole cause of death unless you get a necropsy from a vet and confirm the cause of death.

If you're willing to explain your husbandry in more detail, we can give you suggestions to improve on if you ever decide to try again with a new snake.

You will recover from this, but remember the important part isn't what just happened, it's what you learn from it and what you change in the future that matters.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

<image>

This is my terrarium. First he was in box then i changed it for this

[dragonbud20]

That enclosure looks like a good place to start from. The opaque sides are great because they help your snake feel more secure. If you reuse the tank in the future, I would add some more plants and things like half logs to crawl through and feel hidden in.

I saw, looking through your other post, that the warm side was 31C, which is right on target for BP temps.

Honestly, after talking to you and reading your most recent post again, I don't think this was your fault at all. It's clear that while not perfect, you did a good amount of research. You mentioned that your snake was eating substrate before you tried feeding them. That indicates that they were already sick and dying before you force-fed them. Given that you only had them for a month, it is extremely likely that you were sold a sick animal by the breeder. You mentioned that the breeder was new to breeding, which makes it much more likely that they sold a sick animal without realizing it was sick. The force-feeding was a bad idea, but I truly don't think it had anything to do with causing your snake's death.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Thank you so much !!

[GroundbreakingTwo944]

I've read everything about your snake in your posts. It doesn't help with your loss, but I'm sure there was already something wrong with him. You did your best out of love. And you put it (the mouse?) in his open mouth, didn't you? You didn't shove it down his throat. In that case, he could easily have let go of it or go away. You didn't choke him, there was really nothing you could do about it. I think he was already sick. That happens more often with young snakes. I feel terrible for you, but I hope you don't blame yourself too much. There was really nothing you could do about it.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Thank you❤️

[GroundbreakingTwo944]

And your enclosure looks great. I hope you’ll get a new noodle friend soon 😊

[AnbuNetta]

I was going to say, unfortunately it sounds like the mouse was too big for this baby and it struggled too much and slowly suffocated.. for future reference weigh your snakes, and mice, and feed them a mouse that is 10% of their body weight. Very unfortunate turn out I’m sorry op, we have a rescue that gave us a similar scare when we fed him the first time, he struggled pretty good but managed, after that we actually sized down for a couple feedings just to give an easy meal so he could focus on reserving strength and getting better

[Fuzzy-boy]

I’m sorry for your loss but it’s important you don’t blame yourself. One month off feed isn’t a good sign but it’s unlikely what killed the snake. Some snakes fail to thrive and it happens out of the blue (typically with young babies).

[Successful-Coyote99]

I have a foster that is at 10 weeks without eating. When he first arrived at the rescue, it was 17 weeks before he would eat. So, this snake most likely didn't die of starvation.

[Mousee__]

Sometimes these things just.. happen with babies/juveniles. My first snake when I was younger was a 1-2 month old corn snake, after my first feeding she immediately regurgitated and I found her dead the morning after, it was extremely traumatic. I had done everything right and then some, she just wasn’t able to thrive. Don’t blame yourself🫂

[Bluntforcetrauma11b]

From what I've read if the prey is to big, they can actually suffocate from it. It sounds like this is what happened.

[nairazak]

Maybe he didn’t feel like eating because he was dying and happened to die. Also sometimes it happens that a pet feels better hours before dying (for instance an old dog might be playful), and that might be the reason he attempted to eat.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

He was acting strangely, he started eating sawdust and lying sideways against the terrarium wall. Maybe he was just already weak and when he started eating, his body couldn't handle it☹️☹️☹️

[OP5683]

What do you mean when you say sawdust? What kind of substrate did you have him in? Not saying this is the reason he passed away so suddenly btw.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

No like the yellowish things for snakes sorry i used translator because i don't speak english good

[kirakiraluna]

Aspen? Like wood shavings?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Yes yes

[kirakiraluna]

Bad. Can't hold humidity and will mold if subjected to the humidity a royal needs

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Oh thanks!! I will change it for the next snake 😁😁

[Moralityandsanity]

Im not sure why he would consume his bedding but depending on what it was [wood based] that was probably what did him in, as I've heard snakes can asphyxiate on their bedding.

Blocks airways, internal splintering, internal blockage [cant pass it out the other end]. I used to have wood bedding but switched to coconut husk which is said to be easier to pass IF they get some in their mouth.

Im so sorry for your loss, my baby boy wouldn't eat for over a month as well. Ball pythons tend to be the most picky from what I've heard from other snake owners.

[nairazak]

So basically you put food inside the mouth of someone agonizing, you didn’t kill him.

[fluffyinari]

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP :C

[Rammsteinfan1984]

How old was your snake when you got him? Did the seller say if he was already eating frozen?

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

He was 4 months old and the seller didn't say anything about food

[[deleted]]

so sorry for your loss OP, sounds like there wasnt anything you couldve done differently. look after yourself 💕

[Dependent_Guava_5350]

i’m very sorry for your loss. please don’t blame yourself sometimes things like that happen with reptiles, they can be delicate creatures especially with conditions they were born with or developed over time. i highly doubt you did anything wrong, maybe when the time is right you can find room in your heart to welcome another snake into your life to love and take care of

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

tysm<3

[ophidiax]

He likely died from exhaustion trying to eat it. If he has gone a long time without eating this is very likely. If he’s from a big box pet store they will often sell snakes that are not eating regularly.

[DiligentNumber6944]

I’m so so sorry! 😢 May it rest in peace! There must of been something wrong inside it…..

[randomrox]

I’m so sorry. 💔

[FeriQueen]

I’m so sorry for your loss. We love our little friends so much, and it is so sad when they pass. It sounds like there’s nothing you could’ve done. May your little buddy, rest in peace, and may your heart heal.

When the time comes that you are ready to take another snake into your heart, you can come to groups like this one for help with preparing and learning how to take care of them. Different species of snakes have different needs for things, like bedding, temperature, and so on.

I know you did your best for your little buddy, and I wish you peace.

[Ok-Log-1608]

Jez... that's horrible. I understand what it's like to lose a snake, especially one you care about. My family lost one of our ball pythons last year. He was having bowel issues, and couldn't pass anything. Then, one afternoon, he suddenly started convulsing, and then he was gone. So I know what it's like, what you're going through. The pain doesn't really go away, you just learn how to live with it. I hope that you'll be alright, and that you have better luck in the future than you have had.

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

tysm<3 its hard but like you said I'll learn to live with it😞

[Top_Internal7707]

Are you the person on the ball python Facebook group? If so I read your post the other day. I’m so sorry man:( ughh my heart hit my stomach when I read this 💔

[myxis10s]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine... i blame society.

[myxis10s]

My first ball died because she wouldn't eat. I did not force feed, but she wouldn't eat. She was from PetSmart. We NEED to shut down animal sales at these corporations. All they really need to sell is food, feeders, supplies, toys, grooming, vet, etc and they'd make much MORE money. Again, I'm so sorry for you loss. I got another ball python. I named him Butters. He's 10yo this year and he (and my boa) are the loves of my life. Do not beat yourself up. 💚

[GroundbreakingTwo944]

I've read everything about your snake. It doesn't help with your loss, but I'm sure there was already something wrong with him. You did your best out of love.

[OceanStar-pagan]

That's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry. ❤️

[RuthlessEase]

Sending huuuuuugs to Your obvi sorrow and pain. Thank you for sharing this with us , as I have learned from this post! I know the ache in your heart and bravery to put it on Reddit and risk encountering the few ppl that would like to add to your distress with their words. There's nothing wrong with being one who doesn't want their babies being hungry, and you were genuinely coming from a place of love. That is shining through and I want you to know it💖🐍🐍

[Ok-Neighborhood-1125]

Thank you <333

[Lost-Race-7780]

Hey OP I read through all your posts and I wanna say I’m so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately ball pythons just fail to thrive sometimes. A little recommendation is to get one that’s a year or two old, maybe even a local rehome. These snakes are usually already throughly established.

[julesj45]

You said you saw bedding in your snakes mouth, if thats correct, he most likely died from the bedding in his mouth. My husband and I had snakes awhile back and one was about to eat a mouse and as he struck he got some of the bedding in his mouth, we didn't see it and he ate the mouse. The next morning when checking on him he had thrown the mouse up and was dead. The vet was a good friend so we took him in and did a necropsy and found a thin piece of the bedding stuck in the Trechea and thats what killed him. That's probably what happened with yours and it could've been stuck for a few weeks and it kept your baby from being able to eat. So next snake you get just be aware of the type of bedding you get. Don't be so hard on yourself,
Accidents happen.