Sudden death of our 17 year old ball python

Question

Monty   Last night around 8:45p.m. I was watching the end of American Idol when I heard a lot a noise coming from Monty's cage.  When I looked over I could see him thrashing around in his cage and his mouth was wide open with drool coming out.  I went over and picked him up he was cold and limp, but still alive.  I ran warm water in the sink to try and warm him and tried looking down his throat to see if I could see anything lodged, nothing was in his mouth.  I held him in a warm towel and tried to comfort him.  He was dead by 9:15p.m.  Shortly before the thrashing started he was attempting to go to the bathroom.  He had his tail raised like usual and making the normal sounds.  He eat a medium rat about a month ago and had his normal bowel movements, one white and one dark.  He usually starts moving all around his cage at night while I am watching TV, climbing up his branch. This is usually when he ready for another rat, but in the winter he goes longer without wanting to eat.  About 6 months ago I switch his bedding from the green astro turf that I had used for 16+ years to alpine bedding, could this have caused his death.  Also, I expected him to be stiff this morning, like most things when they die.  But he is still limp, is this normal for snakes.  I have never had one pass before.

Answer
First off, I am sorry for your loss. I doubt that the bedding had anything to do with his death. In face, there is no way to know what killed him. Since dogs and cats are the mainstay of vets, little research or care is made toward reptiles. The good thing is you gave him 17 good years. There is something to be said for that. It is odd that he was not stiff after, but I do not know the cause of that condition. The astroturf is some of the best stuff to the use. If you get another snake, I suggest it, cypress, or coconut bark. I have had the best luck out of those 3.