Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,
My kingsnake just threw up a mouse he ate yesterday. He's never done this before. I didn't handle him or disturb him at all while he was eating. In fact, I haven't picked him up in about a week. He is getting ready to shed his skin.

Anybody know what's going on?

--Alex

Some questions...

How big is it?
What size mouse?
What are the temperatures in the enclosure?

First I would assume the snake regurgitated because it was too hot in the enclosure. If that wasn't it, I would assume the prey was too big. But there's a low chance of that because kings are eating machines.

Mike
Michael's Place

-----
Michael's Place has updated, better caresheets
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

Actually most snakes do not feed while they are getting ready to shed, some do with no problems, and some do and then regurge. Since all of your other conditions are the same, I would say wait until after the shed, then feed it. And next time wait until after it sheds.

Kerby...

Right. He never eats before a shed. I thought it was odd that he took the mouse. So I'll wait till after he sheds to offer him more food.

Alex, your problem is almost certainly due to its being in shed, as Kerby pointed out.

Avoiding this risk is one reason for keeping careful records on our animals: Most establish a shed pattern, shedding after xx days of normal feeding regimen. Since you can't always tell visually when a snake is about to "go into shed" or when it's been "blue" and then its skin has cleared immediately prior to shedding, watching records and anticipating a shed can help you avoid this feeding/regurg risk. Watching the records to know when a shed's due will be particuarly helpful with an animal that's exhibited this behavior. The records may also identify for you snakes that simply refuse food during that period in their shed cycle, thus pose no risk, and those that take food and keep it down even in proximity to a shed cycle. Each animal's different and records help familiarize us with each animal's unique behavior.

peace
terry

Well, he seems OK now. He's just about to shed. His crap is normal. I think he'll be fine after he sheds. You're right about keeping records though - that's a good idea.