Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just got a new Florida King last weekend at the Raleigh, NC show. he tried to eat one of my fingers!(i guess that's a good sign in a way! LOL!!) he's darker than my other Florida King which i think is a Brooksi. anyway, on the way home, i noticed he had something coming from his mouth that looked like really sticky spit. there wasn't much of it, but enough to see. there was some more of it on the sides of the deli cup after i got him home. i got his tank set up and fed him a large mouse Sunday night which he attacked and voraciously devoured! he must have been really hungry! i think Kings are some of the best eaters in the snake world. he also must have been thirsty because he drink for about 2 or 3 minutes! i haven't noticed anymore spittle or sputum or whatever, but i'm a little concerned. could he have a respiratory infection or something? anybody else seen anything like this before? i welcome any comments/advice/help. thanks! i'll post some pics as soon as i can.

greg

sticky saliva is often a sign of dehydration. Another sign is skin turgor. If you take a pinch of the snake's skin, it should snap back; if it returns to shape slowly or stays tented up this is another sign of dehydration. Never hurts to call the vet if things look out of whack.
Dave B