Posted by:
willstill
at Tue Apr 25 00:27:03 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by willstill ]
Hi Mike & Wendy,
What I printed in the subject line is not directed at you, but at the others that responded to your post and gave you vague and innaccurate info. You asked a legit question.
Simply put, If your snake is feeding, it doesn't have a respiratory infection. Snakes will not feed when they develop any of the major internal bacterial infections (resp, mouthrot etc.). This is the first thing that the other posters should have mentioned. Also, the facial rubbing after eating is common, as is the yawning - jaw re-alignment. These are both very common behaviors. They don't happen all of the time but after observing snakes for a little while, you will surely see them. After they get comfortable, they will curl up and sleep off the meal. Also, deep breaths are not a problem, snakes with RI usually have shallow, infrequent breaths, as breathing is painful when the respiratory system is dealing with a major infection. Again, if your snake is feeding and breathing deeply, it is fine, in fact rejoice because those are both good signs.
If you ever have a snake that does show real symptoms of upper respiratory infection such as, gaping, wheezing, throat puffing, or bubbling, the first step is to remove the stress that is causing immune dis-function (husbandry problem) and give appropriate temperature choices (70-95F, not just hot). Often, this change will allow the snake to correct the problem. Also, unstressed ball pythons can take air temperature dips into the upper 60s without problems (mine do often during our NY winters), so don't think that low temps alone are the problem. Look for low temps in conjunction with other major stress factors.
To make a long story short, your snake sounds fine (if it is eating). Please don't believe every post that you read on this forum, many are made by people who like to talk (write) but that have very little experience with the animals in question. Which unfortunately will do you more harm than good. Good luck!
Will
[ Hide Replies ]
|
RE:snake keeping 101 - willstill, Tue Apr 25 00:27:03 2006