Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today while I was feeding my corns on of them had a strange smell. It smells like something that burnt. I looked all over the room trying to pinpiont the smell before I discovered that it was him. He is very nippy too, I have had him for a few months and he was from last year so for him it's not normal. any suggestions. I just got back from vacation and he ran out of water, he couldn't be dehydrated could he?

Sometimes I notice that my snakes smell "off" when they've just shed...the fluid that loosens up the outer layer of skin has an odor. Could that be it?

>>Sometimes I notice that my snakes smell "off" when they've just shed...the fluid that loosens up the outer layer of skin has an odor. Could that be it?

I didn't find any shed skin, but I'll look again. I swear it smells like I burnt something and it appears to be comeing from the clocial region.

I went back into his tank, no shed but he won't close his mouth it almost appears like he is breathing out of it, my apartment has been about 80 all week and all the other corns appear to be healthy. He couldn't have a R/I could he. He is kept in aspen, too.

I would open his mouth and see what it looks like in there...if he's holding it open slightly, there could be a reason for it. In which case, a vet visit would be a necessity.

If it were a respitory infection, there would be phlem coming from his nose and mouth or he may be blowing bubbles from his nose and/or you'll hear gurgling sounds when he takes a breath. There usually isn't a foul odor until it's very advanced, in which case, you would have noticed a while ago.

However, if there is a sore in his mouth that may have gotten infected (say from a sliver of the aspen getting stuck in there), the irritation could turn into a small abscess.

Infection does have a distinct odor but it's never smelled "burnt" to me. I'm puzzled. I wish I had more to offer here...just check him over thoroughly and if you don't find anything out of order, and his appetite, etc. is good, wait and see what happens.

smells like rotting green peppers doesn't it?...

kinda cool........

he was mad at you...and frustrated and in defense for running out of water.........

water it.........

feed it in a couple days........

he'll be ok with you.......he'll forgive you...........

JYReptiles

Good idea!! Corns rarely musk but they can. This may very well be the cause of the stench.

Thanks he was alot calmer today and he smells normal. Don't ask!! I didn't really know corns could musk, or even what it smelled like, but now I know.