Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a '04 female gaboon viper that has never refused a meal since I aquired her back in November but now all of the sudden she has regurgitated her last two meals. The first one happened while I was out of town so how long she actually keep it down is unknown. This last one was fed on 1/15 and I found it last night when I got home. She is around 36" long and gets fed one large rat every other week. My male, who is keep in the same rack has had no problems whatsoever. My initial thoughts were maybe the prey items were too large but the male is the same size and he handles them like a champ. Anyone out there have any ideas?

My general rule of thumb is that one regurgitation is cause for minor concern, a second consecutive regurg and I do FULL fecals and blood work up on that animal to rule out crypto/paramyxovirus/etc. I would first see if you can have a vet look at this animal and isolate this animal from all of your others. Always work with sick animals last and pay close attention to sanitation protocols. Aside from that, check temps (gaboons, like some Bitis, are temperature sensitive), humidity and make sure the animal is properly hydrated. Also, I would cut back on how much you are feeding. I only feed my gaboons one appropriately sized prey item once a month or no more than once every three weeks; its possible you are overfeeding and some minor stresses in the environment are resulting in a regurgitated meal.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>I have had a '04 female gaboon viper that has never refused a meal since I aquired her back in November but now all of the sudden she has regurgitated her last two meals. The first one happened while I was out of town so how long she actually keep it down is unknown. This last one was fed on 1/15 and I found it last night when I got home. She is around 36" long and gets fed one large rat every other week. My male, who is keep in the same rack has had no problems whatsoever. My initial thoughts were maybe the prey items were too large but the male is the same size and he handles them like a champ. Anyone out there have any ideas?
>>
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I would say it's being fed WAY too often.
Feed once a month, a moderate sized rodent.

Typically with most snakes a meal every 7-10 days is sufficient. Of course, that will depend on the size of the last meal as well. My question is, will this vary according to various snakes? Some snakes just simply may not do well if fed even based on the 7-10 day scale?

Thanks,

Chris

>>My general rule of thumb is that one regurgitation is cause for minor concern, a second consecutive regurg and I do FULL fecals and blood work up on that animal to rule out crypto/paramyxovirus/etc. I would first see if you can have a vet look at this animal and isolate this animal from all of your others. Always work with sick animals last and pay close attention to sanitation protocols. Aside from that, check temps (gaboons, like some Bitis, are temperature sensitive), humidity and make sure the animal is properly hydrated. Also, I would cut back on how much you are feeding. I only feed my gaboons one appropriately sized prey item once a month or no more than once every three weeks; its possible you are overfeeding and some minor stresses in the environment are resulting in a regurgitated meal.
>>
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center
>>Lake Forest, IL
>>
>>
>>>>I have had a '04 female gaboon viper that has never refused a meal since I aquired her back in November but now all of the sudden she has regurgitated her last two meals. The first one happened while I was out of town so how long she actually keep it down is unknown. This last one was fed on 1/15 and I found it last night when I got home. She is around 36" long and gets fed one large rat every other week. My male, who is keep in the same rack has had no problems whatsoever. My initial thoughts were maybe the prey items were too large but the male is the same size and he handles them like a champ. Anyone out there have any ideas?
>>>>
>>-----
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>Lake Forest, IL
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Yes, it will vary, snake to snake.(species)
Snakes, i.e. gaboons are lie and wait predators. They select a "hunting" site and lie in wait until a prey item appears.
It may be weeks or even a month or so before they have the opportunity to secure a meal.Generally heavy-bodied snakes, gaboons, rhino's, pythons, are sedentary animals amd rely on this method of hunting.
More active snakes, colubrids, i.e., racers, etc. eat more often, because they have a faster metabolism rate, so they need to eat more frequently.
Without knowing what temps, this fellow has on this particular gaboon, I would guess that he is feeding it too much, or too often, or both.

Even though it seems your feeding too much, it goes to say that your other gaboon isn't vomiting. While the schedule isn't ideal, it likely isn't the reason for vomiting.

Carmichael's suggestions are perfect... the second regurg. often happens because the snake hasn't yet recovered from the first. Hydration is super important, and after a regurg. I"ll skip a scheduled meal and feed a smaller prey item (say, half the size of normal) when the time comes.

As always, re-evaluate your husbandry.

Ian

I agree with what everyone else said but I'd like to add from my own experience. My male started regurging a while back. It was probably 3 or 4 meals that came back up on him. I started skipping a few feedings in between and kept the food items on the smaller side, after a few months of doing this he was right back up to his regular feeding schedule and he's been that way ever since. But it would definetely be a good idea to get her checked out. You can never be too careful and early detection is always best. Keep her well hydrated, feed smaller rodents and inject them with some electrolytes such as Pedialyte before you offer them to her. I do this with my Gabs for every feeding as they are not big fans of drinking.

Very good advice.
I think smaller, less frequent meals is the way to go.