Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wanted to say that my "knotted" snake is still alive. I don't know if he's going to shed properly however as his body looks like that collapsable tupperware in spots. I don't know what to do! He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but he hasn't shed or eaten yet...so it's hard to tell what will happen. About 5 of the clutch have shed and 3 eaten, so I guess I'll be finding out soon. I'm scared, I don't know what damage he may have inside (his intestines and whatnot) due to developing in the egg while knotted. I don't want to cause him undue suffering by allowing him to live, but at the same time I feel like he deserves his shot at life. How do you know if a snake is in pain? At some point, I may have to euthanize him. But if not, I've already determined that I'll have to keep him if he lives (as he's not the most attractive snake, kind of short and stubby) which I hadn't planned on doing due to the unneccessary extra cost of feeding him. (I say "him", it could be a "her" - don't know). Just wanted to vent. The rest of the clutch seem to be doing fine...

" How do you know if a snake is in pain? At some point, I may have to euthanize him."

Well, that's a good question, and also one that's virtually impossible to accurately answer to any reliable degree.

If snakes could vocalize like some other animals, and whimper and cry from time to time, it would make it more obvious, but since they cannot do this, the best indicator is probably only witnessing the snake moving around constantly, and changing positions very often. Even this is only pure speculation though.

If the snake does not eat on it's own VERY soon, and also pass a normal looking feces, I would simply do as you mentioned. Putting them in the freezer in a deli cup may "sound" sort of grizzly, but it is a very painless, humane way of doing it, as they just gradually go to "sleep" and their body functions are slowed down to the point that they can no longer sustain life.

We breeders over the course of many years have all had to deal with this at one point or another with all the snake's we have produced.

best regards, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

I suggest taking the snake to a vet for x-rays. Its the only way to know how things are developed inside a snake.

As for whether its suffering or not, there is no way to tell, snakes and many reptiles don't vocalize at all, so can't really tell you if they hurt or feel uncomfortable etc. Sudden pain can cause them to recoil away from the source..but if the pain is inside, there is nothing for them to 'recoil' away from...at best all it can do is curl up in a ball and hope the pain goes away. And since snakes do this when they are perfectly healthy, no way to tell the difference.
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PHLdyPayne

He shed today...so he should be eating soon...I'll post as soon as that happens.

Will this be its first shed and feeding attempt? If so and it feeds after shedding, it may make it. Malformed animals usually dont survive in the wild for obvious reasons. It may survive for awhile then expire due to internal complications. No way to tell unless as suggested, you have it xrayed and checked thoroughly by a vet. However, if it feeds, its a good sign it may make it for awhile!!