Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys

I posted a message earlier and mentioned this but I have just been watching him move around his cage and he yawned again (the 2ns time today). This is the 1st day I have had him and I know that he has not eaten for some time as he only shed a couple of days ago. Does this therefore that the environmental conditions are not correct or could it be something else??? I have been keeping him at 88 degrees fahrenheit and will be dropping this down to about 78 degrees fahrenheit. The humidity is around 55% at one end of the cage (I am going to try and increase this slightly) and about 85% up the other end.

I will try and post some more pictures of my new baby once I get used to this bloody camera!!!

Thanks
Ben

Hi Ben –

The yawning is normal. Some snakes (we’re not talking just ball pythons here) do this immediately before and after feeding. So, of course, the speculation always has to do with aligning/realigning their jaw bones. However, as you’ve noticed, snakes yawn at other times, also. If you’ll look closely, you may notice that your snake frequently has its glottis (windpipe) pinched shut when it is yawning. So, apparently, they are not trying to get a little extra shot of oxygen into their lung(s), which is usually the case when humans yawn.

Bottom line – I don’t think anyone really knows why snakes yawn. But as long as you’re not seeing open-mouthed wheezing or gasping for air, then I wouldn’t be alarmed.

-Joan

>>Hi guys
>>
>>I posted a message earlier and mentioned this but I have just been watching him move around his cage and he yawned again (the 2ns time today). This is the 1st day I have had him and I know that he has not eaten for some time as he only shed a couple of days ago. Does this therefore that the environmental conditions are not correct or could it be something else??? I have been keeping him at 88 degrees fahrenheit and will be dropping this down to about 78 degrees fahrenheit. The humidity is around 55% at one end of the cage (I am going to try and increase this slightly) and about 85% up the other end.
>>
>>I will try and post some more pictures of my new baby once I get used to this bloody camera!!!
>>
>>Thanks
>>Ben

Starting to get the hang of the camera so I just had to post another picture. He had a bit of a look around when I first put him in his cage. He then stayed in one place for some time but now it has gone dark he is exploring the cage with his tongue flicking so I am hoping this means he is starting to settle in. I am in the UK - it is now 2100 hrs here. I was thinking of dropping to the nightime temp (78 f) about now. It is dark outside but is this a bit early???

Many thanks
Ben

My BP also yawns a lot. Even when I handle him he sometimes yawns. So I guess it's just his nature (he is very very very easy-going )

Naara.net

>>My BP also yawns a lot. Even when I handle him he sometimes yawns. So I guess it's just his nature (he is very very very easy-going )
>>
>>
>>
>>Naara.net

If you just got your bp, i would not be worried about him not eating any thing just yet. It takes a couple weeks for snakes to acclimate to new surroundings, perhaps even more with a python as timid as a ball. As far as the yawning goes, both of mine do it all the time. Good luck with your new pet!