Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I noticed my Cali King Snake rubbing her face back and forth of the glass tank at times. She is not going to shed or anything (which sometimes she does this then) So tonight, I got down to her level and looked at her mouth and noticed the hole where her tongue comes out, well the right top side is sort of puffy a bit. I never noticed it before. I don't think it was there before when I look at her face, but tonight it looked different. Does anyone know is it possible that it can get puffy like this, or is it okay like this?

No it is not OK for the mouth to be puffy. Two things come to mind. First is infectious stomatitis or mouthrot. Pick her up and use something like a pencil or tong depresor to open her mouth. If there is any swelling, puss, or other grossness, get her to a vet.

If the swelling is only on the outside of the mouth than it is probably trauma from rubbing. For this you must adress the underlying issue. A snake does not want to rub its face off. It is doing it because it is desperately trying to escape. This could be because husbandry conditions are not right or they don't have a secure place to hide. It could also be from bringing a new pet into the house or basically anything else that stresses the snake. You must address the underlying problem but while you do if you thow something novel into the cage like a handful of leaves it will distract it from continuing and let you figure things out.

That's "spot-on advice!,....I totally agree, the snake is desperately trying to escape, so there is a definite reason and cause.

And like you mentioned, the one other possibility is enfectious stomatitis(mouth-rot), and either one needs to be addressed fast.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

Plus one on Zachs advice.
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