Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I moved a splendida off the road in Brewster county Texas tonight and he spit blood all over me. I first thought he must have been injured but traffic was VERY light and he appeared unharmed (crawling normally, no signs of trauma, felt strong).

Do some kings exhibit this behavior for defense? I've never heard of it and none of the other hundreds of lampros I've caught have ever done this.

He was probably hit... Or was injured internally.
Some snakes that get struck by vehicles can look absolutely fine on the outside.
-----
Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com
^ Updated 8/27

I'm guessing you're right, but hoping you're wrong.

I don't keep herps (just field observe and photograph), but I decided to rescue this one (due to the likely hood of fatal injuries) for a few days of observation. IF he lives, I will offer him a meal tomorrow and watch him 2-3 days after feeding then release him at the point of capture. If he dies from internal injuries (my initial expectation) I will preserve and donate him.

As of now, he's sluggish and did not repeat the "blood spitting" when I just handled him briefly (first time since rescue). There is no apparent swelling, discoloration, or bleeding.

Two other possibilities: 1) maybe he bit his tongue or injured his mouth when biting me. 2) maybe he had just eaten some bloody road kill and started to regurge.

I'll post an update in a few days or if things change.

Note to TPWD lurkers: I've been advised that collecting DORs, rescuing and rehabbing injured herps, or moving at-risk herps from the roads is either not a violation of the new ban or will not be enforced as a matter of discretion. This snake will be rehabbed and released OR if he doesn't survive he will be preserved and donated to a museum.

>>I moved a splendida off the road in Brewster county Texas tonight and he spit blood all over me. I first thought he must have been injured but traffic was VERY light and he appeared unharmed (crawling normally, no signs of trauma, felt strong).
>>
>>Do some kings exhibit this behavior for defense? I've never heard of it and none of the other hundreds of lampros I've caught have ever done this.

Hmm I know of some lizards that do this cant say I have ever read or seen any snake do it. I would guess he was injured as well.
-----
Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."

I don't know but I commend you for moving him off the road. What percentage of the population takes the time to do that? I bet there's a decimal point and then a few zeros before you get to that number.
-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana
1.0 Elaphe Guttata Slowinskii

Thanks. Road rescues and in-situ photography are about the limit of herp interaction permitted (and that's completely up to the discretion of the warden) along Texas roads these days. Actually, I moved 17 herps off the road last night. The most activity I've seen out here in a long time.

Seen Last Night in Presidio and Brewster counties:
-Bull/gopher snakes - 8 AOR, 6 DOR (all neonates except one)
-WDB - 3 AOR, 3 DOR
-Mojave - 1 AOR, 1 DOR
-Emory Rat - 1 AOR
-Desert King - 2 AOR, 1 DOR
-Central TX whip snake - 1 DOR
-Coachwhip - 2 DOR
-Box Turtles - 2 AOR
-Mystery snakes - 3 disappeared off the shoulder prior to ID

Good for you! we find turtles on the road (and move them) more often than snakes. I heard you should always move a turtle in the direction he's facing, even if it's the longer distance, otherwise he'll just turn around and go back in the road. Suppose that's true?
-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana
1.0 Elaphe Guttata Slowinskii

That's what I try to do with all herps. Better yet, if there is not an immediate threat and the herp is moving, I just sit back and watch them move themselves.

He was hit.
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/