What To Do When Your Snake Dies: A Step-By-Step Guide

Losing a beloved pet snake can be absolutely devastating. You likely have many memories and a close bond with your scaly friend. When the time comes that your snake passes away, it is understandably an extremely difficult situation.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: When your snake dies, you’ll need to properly dispose of its body as soon as possible, either through burial, cremation, or taking it to your local veterinarian.

You’ll also want to thoroughly disinfect the tank and accessories to prevent disease transmission.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the steps you need to take when your snake dies, from confirming death and handling the immediate aftermath, to options for memorializing your pet snake and dealing with the grief.

Confirming Your Snake Has Died

Check for signs of life

Determining if your snake has passed away can be tricky, but looking for key signs of life is the best way to confirm. Here are some things you can check:

• Movement – Look closely for any subtle body movements, flicking tongues, or breathing. A total lack of movement for an extended time likely indicates death.
• Responsiveness – Gently prod or touch your snake with a soft object and look for a response. No reaction at all may be a sign your snake has died.
• Body condition – A live snake’s body will be flexible and soft. A stiff, rigid body often signals death.
• Smell – A strong, unpleasant odor emerging from your snake or its enclosure could mean it has started decomposing and has passed.

It’s also important to note things like when your snake last ate or shed. An otherwise healthy snake going days without eating or drinking may point to an underlying issue or death. If you’ve checked thoroughly for signs of life and found none, the unfortunate reality is your scaled friend has probably left this world behind.

Contact an exotic vet if uncertain

Even veteran snake owners can sometimes have difficulty discerning if their snake is dead or alive. These creatures are masters of playing possum and staying utterly still for long stretches.

If you find yourself questioning whether your snake has passed or is just in an exceptionally deep slumber, contacting an exotic veterinarian is wise. They have specialized training and experience detecting subtle signs of life in reptiles and exotic pets.

An exam by a qualified exotics vet should clear up any uncertainty regarding your snake’s alive/dead status.

As the stats show, it’s quite common for snake owners to take seemingly lifeless snakes to the vet, only to find out they’re still kicking! So if you have even an inkling of hope your snake is alive, quickly arranging an emergency herp vet visit could potentially save your slithering friend.

Caring for the Body

Remove the body from the habitat

When a pet snake passes away, it is important to gently remove its body from the tank or habitat right away. Use gloves or tongs to carefully lift the snake and place it into a plastic bag or air-tight container.

This helps prevent bacteria from spreading in the enclosure and protects other snakes if you have more than one. According to snake care experts, leaving a deceased snake in the tank can quickly contaminate the environment.

Be very delicate when moving the body, as dead snakes tend to be more fragile. Prepare a separate table or area for the next steps of body care. Have paper towels ready in case of any fluids leaking from mouth, cloaca, etc.

If the snake is large, you may need help from a second person to transport it safely.

Store the body properly until final arrangements

Once removed from the habitat, the deceased snake’s body should be refrigerated or frozen to slow decomposition until you decide on final arrangements. An air-tight plastic container or heavy-duty zip-lock bag works well for storage.

Be sure to label the container with the date of death and snake’s name for clear identification.

According to Reptile Magazine expert recommendations, refrigeration at 40°F is ideal, as freezer temperatures below 0°F may cause too much tissue damage. During storage, absorbent paper towels underneath and atop the snake will help soak up any seeping fluids.

Be cautious of thawing and refreezing as this speeds tissue breakdown over time.

Once refrigerated or frozen, the snake’s body can typically be safely stored for up to 2 weeks before needing professional cremation or home burial. However, be aware that anaerobic gut bacteria can still multiply, potentially causing unpleasant odors or even bloating/rupturing of the snake if stored over 7-10 days.

Monitor the body and arrange final plans accordingly.

When the time comes for final arrangements, you have a few options – professional reptile cremation services, home burial if local laws permit, or holding a commemorative ceremony before respectfully discarding the body.

Be sure to thoroughly disinfect the enclosure afterwards and give extra care to any reptile companions who may be stressed by the loss.

Losing a beloved snake companion can be very hard. But taking gentle, proper care of their remains helps provide closure. Reach out to other reptile owners, internet forums or grief counseling to help process the emotions too.

Disposal and Memorial Options

Burial

Many snake owners choose to bury their pet snake after it passes away. This can provide a sense of closure and final resting place. When choosing burial, make sure to follow any local laws or regulations regarding burying animals. Some tips for burial:

• Bury the snake at least 3-5 feet underground so scavengers don’t dig it up.
• Wrap the snake in a cloth or place it in a box before burying. This prevents direct contact with soil.
• Choose a peaceful location in your yard or a pet cemetery.
• Cover the grave with a rock or marker to memorialize the spot.
• Plant flowers or a tree above the grave as a living memorial.

Cremation

Snake owners can also choose to have their pet cremated after it passes away. Many veterinary offices and pet cemeteries offer cremation services. The snake’s remains are placed in a cremation chamber and reduced to ashes. The ashes are then returned to the owner in an urn or special container.

Some things to know about cremation:

• Cremation allows you to keep your snake’s ashes in a special place at home.
• Group cremation is less expensive but ashes are not individual.
• Private cremation costs more but returns only your pet’s ashes.
• Cremation urns come in many personalized styles to memorialize your pet.

Surrendering to a Vet

Some pet owners decide to surrender their deceased snake to the veterinary hospital or clinic that provided care for the animal. The vet’s office will take care of the burial or cremation process for you. This can be easier emotionally for some owners. Things to ask your vet:

• What are their protocols for deceased pet remains?
• Do they have a pet cemetery on-site?
• Can they arrange for cremation services?
• Will they notify you about final arrangements?
• What are the costs involved?

Taxidermy

Taxidermy is the process of preserving an animal’s body via mounting or stuffing for display. Some snake owners opt to have their pet preserved through taxidermy after it dies. This allows the owner to still see and interact with their pet’s form. Things to know about snake taxidermy:

• The process can be quite expensive, costing hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Find a specialty taxidermist experienced in reptiles.
• Preservation methods vary – some freeze dry, others stuff.
• Taxidermy provides a way to display your pet’s unique scaly beauty.
• A mounted pet can feel unsettling for some snake lovers.

Holding a Memorial Service

Holding some type of service or funeral for your deceased snake can help provide closure. This allows you to honor your memories, process the loss, and memorialize your scaly friend. Some memorial ideas include:

• Gathering with family/friends who knew your pet for support.
• Creating a photo collage or memory book of your snake.
• Making a grave marker or special urn for ashes.
• Planting flowers or spreading ashes in a favorite spot.
• Sharing funny stories and fond memories of your beloved snake.
• Feeling your pet’s loss while also celebrating the joy it brought you.

Losing a pet snake can be heartbreaking. Thoughtfully considering disposal and memorial options can help you pay tribute to your scaly companion. With empathy and creativity, you can find the perfect way to honor their life and memory.

Cleaning the Habitat

Disinfect the tank and accessories

After your snake has passed away, it’s important to thoroughly disinfect their tank and accessories before considering getting another snake. Here are some tips for properly cleaning the habitat:

• Remove everything from the tank including decor items, substrate, and water bowls. Throw away any natural wood or porous items that can’t be disinfected.
• Wash the tank, lids, and removable parts with hot, soapy water. Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub off waste and dirt.
• Disinfect the tank and accessories with a 5-10% bleach solution. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
• Rinse everything thoroughly with hot water several times to remove the bleach residue. You don’t want any lingering chemicals that could be harmful to a new snake.
• For extra disinfecting power, use a reptile-safe disinfectant like F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant or Virkon S. Follow product instructions carefully.

Properly disinfecting your snake’s former home helps ensure no bacteria or parasites are lingering in the habitat. It gives a new snake the healthiest, cleanest place to live.

Clean decor thoroughly or dispose of it

Snake decor like hides, climbing branches, and foliage should also be cleaned or replaced when setting up the habitat for a new snake. Here’s how to handle decorations:

• Discard any natural wood decor that is porous and can’t be fully disinfected. Bacteria can hide in crevices.
• Wash plastic decor, artificial foliage, and water bowls in hot, soapy water. Use a bottle brush to scrub inside crevices.
• Disinfect decor by soaking in a dilute bleach solution for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
• Replace substrates like aspen shavings or cypress mulch. Do not reuse these from the previous snake.
• Wash and disinfect reusable items like thermometers, hygrometers, and heating pads.

Getting new decor is another option if you don’t want to clean the old items. This lets you give the habitat a fresh look. But be sure to keep some familiar hides and branches so the new snake feels secure.

Let the tank air out before adding a new snake

After fully cleaning and disinfecting the tank, give it plenty of time to air out. You want to make sure there are no lingering odors or chemicals before adding a new snake. Here are some tips:

• Allow the tank to air out for 24-48 hours with the lid off in a well-ventilated area.
• Place bowls of activated charcoal inside the tank to help absorb odors.
• Aim a fan towards the open tank to help circulate fresh air.
• After airing out, do a “sniff test” to check that all odors are gone before setting up the habitat.

Letting the tank fully air out removes any cleaning product smells and ensures the habitat will be fresh and welcoming for a new snake. This simple step helps them transition to their new home.

Coping With the Loss

Allow yourself to grieve

Losing a beloved pet snake can be incredibly difficult. It’s important to allow yourself time to grieve the loss. Snakes may be small, but they take up a big place in our hearts. Don’t feel ashamed about mourning – it’s a normal reaction.

Give yourself permission to experience the full range of emotions – sadness, anger, guilt. Cry if you need to. Talk to friends who understand what your snake meant to you. Reflect on your happy memories together.

Make sure to practice self-care during this time – eat well, stay hydrated, get enough rest. The grief process takes time, so be patient with yourself. With time, the pain will ease, leaving behind the joy of having known your special snake friend.

Create a memorial for your snake

Creating a memorial can provide comfort and a sense of closure after losing a pet snake. This is a meaningful way to honor its life and your bond together. Some ideas include holding a small funeral service with burial; making a photo collage or memory book; planting a tree or flowers in your snake’s name; donating to a reptile rescue organization; setting up a memorial site with your snake’s vivarium, photos, and favorite hides/plants.

If it was killed, you could create a special box with its shed skin, name tag ID, and other mementos. Personalizing the memorial makes it special – include your snake’s name, favorite foods or plants, nicknames, quotes, etc.

By creating a living tribute, your beloved snake friend will hold a permanent place in your heart.

Consider getting a new snake when ready

It may feel too soon to think about getting another snake after losing one. It’s important not to rush into this decision. Take time to grieve and reflect first. When you feel ready to open your heart and home again, choosing a new snake friend can represent hope.

Focus on celebrating the new life versus “replacing” the old. Consider adopting a rescue snake – this helps honor your previous pet’s memory. Or choose a different species or morph than before – creating new memories. Set up their habitat ahead of time for a smooth transition.

Bonding with a new snake doesn’t negate your past one. It continues your legacy as a caring snake owner. If it feels like the right next step, this can help heal your heart as you provide a loving home for a snake in need.

Conclusion

Losing your pet snake is incredibly hard, but knowing the proper steps to take after your snake dies can help make the situation a little easier to handle. With this guide, you now know how to confirm your snake’s passing, properly store and dispose of the body, thoroughly disinfect the habitat, and cope with the grief of losing your scaled companion.

While nothing can ever replace your cherished snake friend, take pride in knowing you gave them a good life full of love. The memories of your time together will always remain special.