Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know what would happen if a snake was to swallow some aspen bedding down with its meal? Thanks to anyone who helps me out.

Nobody Knows exactly, but a number of things COULD happen:
1. NOTHING - provided that the piece of shaving passes through the intestines safely. This happens regularly, snakes ARE pretty tough.
2. Intestinal blockage. This could and does happen sometimes, especially if it IS a large piece. Snakes can digest a LOT of things, BUT are totally unable to digest wood or any type of plant fibers. So there IS a chance of this happening, and it can be fatal to your snake.
3. Regurgitation. Rarely happens, but if your snake has recently eaten and a LARGE piece of shaving went down with it you CAN do something about it: Hold your snake upside down for several minutes, then let it rest a minute. Keep doing this - This will make it regurgitate eventually. The meal and anything with it should come right out. Doing this is better than waiting for it to possibly get stuck in the intestines. . .
4. Slight intestinal blockage or temporary blockage. This could have a lot of symptoms and even delayed (several weeks)symptoms. The snake may get better after a while or it may still die.
Having said all this, if you feel the snake DID ingest some shaving/s (and it has been more than 24 hours and you didn't make it regurgitate and find it) and don't want to take chances than the best thing is to take it to a vet and do an X-ray and see. . .
Hope this helps,

Zee

Thanks alot. Luckly, my snakes haven't swallowed any, but I was just curious incase it ever happened. Now I'm prepared. Thanks again.