On September 9, Center staff made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Clifford the Cornsnake due to growing concerns for his quality of life. He was estimated to be at least 15 years old.
Clifford first arrived at the Wildlife Center on December 9, 2016. He had been kept as a pet for an unknown period of time before his owner passed away, leaving him without a caretaker and trapped in the house for several months without access to food or water. Thankfully, he was eventually discovered and brought to the Center. An exam revealed that he was thin, dehydrated, and experiencing neurological symptoms, but with proper nutrition and care, he made a full recovery.
Because he had been kept as a pet, Clifford was deemed non-releasable, but his gentle and calm nature made him a great candidate to serve as an ambassador for his species. He officially joined the Center's ambassador team in June 2017 and was named Clifford in honor of herpetologist Clifford Hillhouse Pope, who famously said that “snakes are first cowards, then bluffers, and last of all warriors.”
During his time as an ambassador, Clifford reached nearly 17,000 people through 337 programs. He helped people understand the important role snakes play in the environment and that they make great neighbors, keeping unwanted pests in check. Most of all, Clifford helped people see snakes as docile and misunderstood animals that should be respected rather than feared.
Clifford was a geriatric snake at the time of his passing. Previous exams had shown that he had moderate arthritis in his spine and lenticular sclerosis, an age-related hardening of the eye’s lens, which Center staff continued to monitor closely. In recent months, however, Clifford’s overall health gradually declined. He became far less mobile and active, had a decreased appetite, and began to lose weight. After weeks of careful observation and efforts to keep him comfortable, the team made the difficult but compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him.
Goodbye, Clifford, and rest in peace. You made the world a better place for people and snakes, and you'll be deeply missed.