Cause of Death

Question
I bought a albino corn snake a few months ago along with his cage mate, a reddish-brown colored corn snake. The albino was doing well up until last weekend when he began to not eat the pinkies I've been feeding him since he came home with me. I tried feeding him three more times with no luck. This evening I went to try and feed him again, and I found him dead in his cage. A couple of weeks before that, I noticed a bruise like spot beneath the skin of his belly. When I found him today, that small spot had grown and spread. Could you possibly tell me what might have gone wrong so I can keep it from happening to his cage mate? Also, if it's not a problem, the remaining corn snake was very close with the albino (as in: neither would eat unless the other was close by), and I am worried what might change with him when he realizes he's alone. Thanks in advance, I appreciate whatever you can give me very much.

Answer
Amanda,
  I am very sorry for your loss. One thing to keep in mind, snakes are not dogs. Every other household does not have 3 or 4 of them and they are not generally understood like our canine pals. I can tell you that I have lost about 5 snakes to this same cause over the course of my career. I have seen it happen with snakes that I have fed healthy, live rats to, so I doubt it is the food. Truthfully, I do not know the cause. I have never taken a snake that died of this to the vet for evaluation after the fact. Perhaps one of the other experts can offer you more. The good news is that it is nothing you did wrong. I believe (and I am not a vet), that something goes wrong in the swallowing or digestion process. The good news it that the chances of it happening again are very small. One tip that I can offer is to never feed any snake food that is bigger than the biggest part of his body (girth). Always feed smaller than the biggest part of his body. Sorry that I cannot be of more help, but a vet will have to take a guess at this one. I do think that the other snake will be fine without the albino. Almost all snakes are solitary creatures and he should eat as before.