I just came home and cleaned some crap out of my kingsnake's tank. I had to move some vegetation and logs and I scared the hell out of him. Then he threw up the mouse I'd fed him two days ago. Now I'm worried. Why did he throw up?
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Barfing Kingsnake
arconea
Apr 10, 2006 02:25 AM
Replies (2)
Rivets55
Apr 10, 2006 11:00 AM
"...I scared the hell out of him. Then he threw up..."
This is a normal flight response in snakes. A snake that has recently consumed prey is vulnerable. When they feel threatend and have recently consumed a meal, they regurgitate the food. This serves two purposes for the snake:
1. It startles/discourages the potential predator.
2. It inproves the snakes ability to flee or fight.
You don't need to worry unless he does it again for no other apparent reason. This is where the advice not to handle a snake for one to two days after feeding comes from. One thing for sure, snake puke is vile stuff.
Regards,
John D
-----
1.1 Creamsicle Cornsakes
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
wftright
Apr 10, 2006 07:03 PM
Rivets55 gave the good technical explanation. I don't even open my kingsnake's cage for 48 hours after I've fed him. I always change his water on the day that I feed him or sometimes the day before I feed him. That way, I don't need to be in the cage the next day. At 48 hours, I'll change water and mist the cage. I don't handle my guy for at least 72 hours. When I fed him a big rat a couple of weeks ago, I didn't open the cage for three days. I didn't handle him for over a week.
Bill
-----
It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.
