Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed some weird behavior from my baby Northern Ringneck Snakes. A snake will grab a worm, wrap it's tail around a stick, and twist. I realized they were doing a move similar to a Crocodile's "Death Roll" I haven't figured out why they do it. Crocodiles do it to rip their prey into pieces, but snakes swallow food whole. Has anybody else seen a snake do this before?
Michael

Michael:
Without observing the behavior, I cannot really tell just what may be occurring in regards to your Ringneck Snake. If after it twists and turns with the worm in its mouth, it then consumes the prey, here is a possble explanation.

Worms, slugs, slamanders, frogs and possibly other such prey probably have chemicals in their outer skin that are part of their defense against predators. The slime of slugs and worms itself can be so profuse as to help in escape and/or make swallowing difficult or impossible for small snakes eating such prey.

The Sharp-tailed Snake and Northwestern Garter Snake here in the northwest (Oregon) prey on slugs and earthworms and both species exhibit behavior somewhat similar to what you describe. When having latched onto a rather large prey item (slug or worm) both species of snakes often will wrap their tails around any object and will pull backwards dragging the slug or worm sometimes twisting from side to side in what appears to be an attempt to have the slime of the worm or slug removed on objects in which the prey comes in contact. With the defense (slime) of the prey somewhat reduced, the prey is then consumed by the snakes.

I have watched gartersnakes have their jaws so 'gummed-up' by slug slime that the prey escapes. The profuse amount of slime produced by worms may allow them time to twist and turn themselves thus breaking in two with the free end escaping. Such broken segments of worms if large enough, can regenerate to form a complete organisim. My impressions is that some species of worms may have some toxic component to their slime. This is suggested by the fact that garter snakes will quit eating night crawlers after eating a certain number but readily take a different type of prey if offered.

Richard F. Hoyer

Maybe that is why they do the "Death Roll." I feed the snakes in a wood pile where the worms easily get away. So maybe they try to pull them out. Do you have a screen name, so I could talk to you?
Michael

Michael:
Not certain what you mean by a screen name as I use my given name on all posts. My email is: charinabottae@earthlink.net

Richard F. Hoyer

He meant as in a screen name for a messenger service (IE MSN messenger, AIM, ect.). I agree with you on the slime theory. I have noticed that with Nerodia and Thamnophis when fed worms, the worms excrete more of a slimey mucous layer than when they are at rest. The snakes the normally twist, apparently trying to hold on to the prey item and avoid or get rid of the slime altogether. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Seen it many times and described it before here and on other forums as well. Very cool and fun to watch when the earthworm flips out and takes the little ringneck for a ride.
:Mark

I have a storeria dekayi that does the same thing. He does it to tear worms into smaller pieces before swallowing them.

Sounds like these snakes are not very strong. I have watched California newts feed on earthworms. If two newts were to try to swallow the same worm, or if one end of the worm is anchored to the substrate (such as between gravel in a terrarium) the worm will break in two. It appears Taricha torosa teeth and jaws are not only strong but well adapted to holding onto slippery prey.