Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's a pic of my female Stillwater. She has a sort of wierd head shape and often sleeps with her mouth open like this. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all. She's extremely healthy by all observable means.

Anyone else seen this kind of thing?

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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

My Kingsville Red x Stillwater hypo Alfonzo; I needed a head shot to compare with your snake. He seems to have a more pointed snout whereas your female seems to have a blunt snout. As for the odd mouth breathing, if her snout is too short possibly her sinuses are not as open as a normal snake's sinuses, like English bulldogs and Pekigese dogs with short snouts and breathing problems through the nose.

Good thinking but her but there's not much if any difference there. The head shape thing is mostly a sort of deep jaw line and sort of swelling around the back of the head. Don't think it's a breathing problem but I'll keep that in mind.
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

Does she snore? I know this sounds silly, but other animals will snore if they are mouth breathers. People are notorious for this, and dogs and cats will snore, too. Maybe her esophageal tonsils are swollen, although you did mention she is very healthy.

LOL! Snoring would send me over the edge! LOL!

Thanks for the input.

It's a chronic condition which I think is possibly related to here having some sort of skull formation aberration. It doesn't show in pics very well but the back of her head and rear jaw area is swollen looking. She's always been like that. It's subtle but enough to make her obvious from her half brother. I'm thinking there might be an issue with here jaw hinge, possibly genetic due to in-breeding - but that's just a wild guess. Anyway, like I said, she's outwardly as healthy as a snake could be and an awesome pet.
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com