Very sad news...

[Albert Clark]

Hey community, it's with a very heavy heart and extreme sadness that I announce the passing of three of my most hopeful garter snakes. My two female pastel het grante (mom and first generation daughter) and my visual granite pastel male. I've been struggling with this setback for about two weeks now and debating on whether or not to post about it. I pulled them out of brumation almost two weeks ago to find them all deceased. The two females were cooled together in the same bin and the male was in with his father who survived. Don't have much to blame it on except maybe poor oxygenation by not opening the fridge door regularly or often enough. They all were conditioned well prior to going in and all were seemingly pretty healthy. My concinnus pair was also cooling at the same time and are all out and doing well. The granite checkered project was definitely one I was looking forward to as well but will have to take a step backwards now. My gut intuition is telling me that there was just a real poor oxygenation level in the fridge for some time. Didn't plan on the necropsy bc I just feel it was pure negligence on my part.

[Jeff B]

Brumation kills snakes sometimes, its just part of the deal. If you don't cool enough or long enough you get less productivity, too much and you risk death. In over 12 years of breeding I don't think I have ever had a brumation with zero casualties, I usually loose a snake or two, no matter how much or how little I cool them.

[Distaff]

My condolences.

[Albert Clark]

Brumation kills snakes sometimes, its just part of the deal. If you don't cool enough or long enough you get less productivity, too much and you risk death. In over 12 years of breeding I don't think I have ever had a brumation with zero casualties, I usually loose a snake or two, no matter how much or how little I cool them.

Thank you Jeff for the factual commentary and support. It really lessens the impact for sure. And at least I do have the albino pastel female het granite and the related male parent to try again. Thanks.

[Albert Clark]

My condolences.

Thanks D! That really helps.

[Zdravko092368]

Very sorry to read this I hope the checkereds you have left can revive your project in the future.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry for your loss. With other snakes in the same brumation location I would say you should be a little easier on yourself. Stuff happens.

[Albert Clark]

Very sorry to read this I hope the checkereds you have left can revive your project in the future.

Thank you Zdrav. I think I can work on it bc I am not at square one. I do want to continue the project.

Sorry for your loss. With other snakes in the same brumation location I would say you should be a little easier on yourself. Stuff happens.

Thanks Steve, you're right and I will.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Sorry for your loss Albert!

[Qwerty3159]

Very sorry to hear that.