Do corns normally yawn? I was taking a picture of my boys the other day, and they both yawned. Is this a sign of a problem?
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.
Yawn?
AndrewFromSoCal
Oct 08, 2006 05:39 PM
Replies (3)
duffy
Oct 08, 2006 06:54 PM
They often do it to re-align their jaws after eating. I could swear that mine will yawn in anticipation of a meal. Perfectly normal. Duffy
AndrewFromSoCal
Oct 09, 2006 01:01 AM
No no I know about the alignment issues, but he hadn't been fed in a few days. I danno, it was kinda wierd.
Rivets55
Oct 09, 2006 12:24 PM
Yawning is perfectly normal behavior - all snakes do it from time to time. If you think a corn snake's yawn is impressive, you should see a big viper yawn!
As for reasons why a snake might yawn? Mammals seem to yawn to increase air flow to the lungs, improve blood oxygen levels and blood flow to the brain, and thus increase alertness (at least I do). I don't think snakes do a mammal-type yawn to increase air flow, since snakes don't respire through the throat.
I think they do it to limber up inactive muscles, relive mild discomfort associated with inactivity and to improve blood flow and alertness. Is the same reason I like to yawn and stretch after sitting at the computer for awhile or taking a nap.
Cheers!
John D.
-----
I am so not lesdysxic!
0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"
