Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering how common snake fatalities are due to the snake biting themselves. I woke up today to find one of my copperheads dead with one of his fangs stuck in his back. I wasn't feeding it or anything, so it was really a suprise and I have no idea why it happened.
This got me thinking, which snakes other than cobras can handle a bite of their own venom?
Thanks,
Will

The death of the copperhead was not necessarily from self envenomation. Snakes have been known to bite themselves in the throes of death from other causes..both venomous & non-venomous.
The fact that the snake was off its feed leads me to suspect something else was the cause of death.

~~Greg~~

Hi:

I agree with Greg. For some reason this is a very common. I suspect a paracitic infestation is the likely cause of death.

Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

It just really comes off as a surprise. The snake was CB, eating regularly, and I treat for mites on a regular basis. It seemed very healthy.
:/

Hi:

Yeah..it sneaks up on ya just like that... What were you feeding it? Any live or fresh killed prey? If food items are not frozen for at least a month you can pass on paracites that inhabit their digestive tract.

Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

Really? A month?
I didn't know that. I got some wc anoles that I started off feeding it, then used to scent pinkies. The first one I fed it was live, so that it could get a meal down, then I froze the rest, using them to heavily scent pinkies at first, then slowly moving down to just the pinks themselves. The pinks were f/t as well. I had tried everything before I got it to take lizards. It's the only Northern that I've ever had that would only take lizards at first.
Thanks,
Will