Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Looking for some feedback. I have never heard of such a thing before.

I have a neonate GTP that I just recently acquired, and got eating for me. I first gave it a pinky mouse and no problems. I went to get another pinky a few days later and all they had were fuzzies, so I gave it the small fuzzy and it ate it quickly with no problem.

About 7 days later I decided to give it another small fuzzy. The neonate bit onto the head, but then began swallowing from the rear. After about 10 minutes it seemed to be making decent progress, so I left it alone. Over an hour later I checked on it and it seemed exhausted with the fuzzy swallowed... but no further down than just past the jaws. I was concerned, and disturbed the GTP and it immediately regurgitated.

I then noticed that it must have been about to shed as some skin (shed shin) had began to peel back on its head. This was about 4 days ago.

Today, I gave it a pinky. It immediately took to swallowing it head first, but seemed to be tired, I thought it was just a little wore out. But then I saw the other side of its neck. With the pinky stretching the skin, I was able to see that a small (approx. 6mm) stretch of skin was torn. I could see the pinky inside the snake. I decided not to bother it and it finished swallowing in decent time.

Otherwise it seems to be doing fine. It just had a meal and is perching.

Has anyone else had this happen? If so, how did the snake do afterward and in the long-run?
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steve

I would take it to a qualified vet immediately. If it is "ripped" open, then it needs medical attention to clean and close the wound.
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Chris
Chris Carille Photography
http://nyexotics.blogspot.com/

Thank you for the feedback.

The little guy seemed OK other than the tear, and still had a good appetite. So I decided to wait it out and give it extra small piky mice.

It did just fine, and was able to heal on its own. It worked out well, but I was surprised at what happened.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening before?
I am sure it is not a first, but I cannot find anything that suggest it has happened before.
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steve

That is a pretty weird and rare event in my experience. However, I was watching some videos from YouTube (?) and I saw one of a large and wild African Rock Python (P. sebae) consuming a large antelope, for which pythons are justly famous. To my amazement, the sides of the python literally ripped, large but shallow "lacerations" through the skin. I would not have believed it had I not seen it...the commentator said words to the effect it would heal up without further incident. It has taken me a long time to learn this, but when in doubt, feed more smaller items rather than the maximum size. Nothing good come of regurgiated meals, or "ripped" skin...interesting post, and we can all learn from your experience. BTW, how is your GTP doing now that some time has passed?