Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My sons new ball python just did the strangest thing and I need to know if it's 'normal' or not. He has been resting in his cage all day, only thing different is that we put Jungle Mix and Reptile bark in the bottom of it today. Just now, we glanced down at him and he has his head upside down with his mouth open and looks like he is gagging or choking badly!! Is that normal??? He has not been fed by us, we just got him yesterday and the pet store said that all they know is that he is a "guaranteed Feeder". Please help me if you can give me any idea if he is ok??

Sounds like it is dying...........check it's airway and see if anything is stuck?..........just keep it on newspaper for now.........

You need to see a vet ASAP if the snake continues to do this for the next few minutes..........

He only did it for about 10-15 seconds and quit, I swear he looked at us like we were idiots for staring at him. We have been watching him ever since and he has "yawned" a couple times. Is that normal?? I never thought I would have a sleepless night with a snake but it looks like I might be doing that tonight. Thank you so much for your quick reply.

Yawning is a common occurance with ball pythons. Nothing to worry about. What you described earlier though, who knows. As you said he only did it for 10-15 seconds, just observe and if he does it again, make another post, maybe somebody out there has seen this.

Nothing to worry about, bp do that alot. I watch mine everyday and i've seen them yawn often. Nothing to get alarmed about.