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.

Click here to visit Classifieds
https://www.crepnw.com/
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

Knots in rattlesnake vertebrae

Bryan_Hamilton Jun 02, 2009 07:29 AM

About a year ago I noticed a large knot in one of the vertebra of my Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus lutosus). The knot is between the snout and vent, about 9 inches anterior to the vent. I was measuring the snake last night and while I had it in a tube I noticed a series of smaller knots in the vertebrae between the larger knot and the vent. I’ve never felt anything like this in a snake before. The larger knot is a little smaller than a ping pong ball and the smaller knots are maybe a quarter this size.

The snake is male, 27 inches total length, and weighs 320 grams. It was wild caught as a juvenile and I feed it frozen thawed mice and provide no vitamin supplements. The snake appears completely healthy other than these knots.

Has anyone experienced this or have any ideas about tits cause?

Replies (2)

Phobos Jun 21, 2009 10:57 AM

Without seeing pictures sounds like Spondylosis, gennerally caused by a salmonella sp infections.
-----
Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.
Abraham Lincoln.

Bryan_Hamilton Jul 22, 2009 09:27 AM

Here is the X-ray of the knots. It seems to be a kyphosis but the cause is still a mystery. Its really strange how the vertebrae and ribs are normal anterior and then the "kinks" undulate back towards the tail.

Does anyone have any idea if this is a treatable condition?

Site Tools