I just got a baby pastel, hatched 8-13-05. During his first meal "with me" tonight I noticed when he was trying to swallow his fuzzy mouse his head was shaking like he was straining or having a mini seizure. I have never had a ball this young before. I've had my female for 10 years and many other snakes, this is the first time I've seen this. It only happened once or twice and he finished another fuzzy right after of smaller size with no problem. He also had some bumps down his body, but I think it was just him straining to constrict. I took some picture if you guys think it will help. I only got him in last week so I figured he was a little dehydrated so I've been adding a little pedialite into his water. His tail is flat also,like it's a little deflated, not sure if any of these things are serious but I don't want anything to go wrong. Thanks in advance for any help yall can give.
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A few question about my new little pastel, serious problems or no worries?
Replies (1)
It's possible that the shaking of it's head is just from straining to get the mouse down. Once the prey item gets far enough down the snakes throat they kinda squinch their necks up so as to get a grip farther down the neck with the neck muscles. After they get that grip they stretch the rest of their neck and head up to get more of the prey item down. Sometimes in doing this their head will quiver a little from the strain. It's nothing to be concerned with. Hope this helps.
Quig
