Open Mouth Bask

[reptilez]

Why Do they bask with there mouth open sometimes??

[eyespy]

Just like dogs pant, they cannot sweat to let off excess heat, they need to let it escape from an open mouth. As long as it's just a once in awhile thing, that's fine. Once they decide they are too hot they just move out of their basking area and find a cooler spot.

If they are gaping all the time, it might be that their temps need adjusting, the cage is too small for their entire body to be comfortable at once, or that they have parasites or a respiratory infection.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I've always wondered......if they are opening their mouths to get rid of excessive heat, then why are they basking while they are doing it? Its been bugging me for years.

[tHeGiNo]

LMAO same!

[reptilez]

Thats why i asked, I'm confused:confused:

[eyespy]

Your skin heats up long before your internal organs do, and it's just the same for reptiles. We humans can be sweating and complaining that we are burning up and still have a body temp in the normal ranges. It can take hours to raise the core body temperature.

They might be too hot on the outside yet still trying to soak up enough heat to digest a big meal or ovulate or make sperm plugs and all those other lovely internal functions.

[reptilez]

Makes sence....Thanx for the info
-Reptilez

[Jeff_Favelle]

SO how does opening their mouths cool down their skin? Wouldn't that just also make it longer for their guts to heat up? Still doesn't make sense.

[reptilesalonica]

If a snake opens it's mouth for prolonged periods and do it often it may have intestinal disturbances. Usual a good sign that the conditions that is kept or been keeping are very poor.
~Greg~

[Kat]

I'm still going with the answer that they're just too stupid to move!!! :)

[eyespy]

Ah, but beardies have a bony armor plating along their backs. They can gape to cool down their brains and mucous membranes to avoid dehydration while all that bone and cartilage continues to absorb UVB. Most heliotherms gape while doing a deep bask, it's pretty normal.

[reptilez]

So the open mouth bask is OK, i shouldn't really worry??

[eyespy]

Get a fecal done to be sure there's not a parasite problem and if it comes out okay don't worry.

[reptilez]

Will do

[alex_33]

If its normal for them to open mouth bask, does that mean its not good if they arent opening their mouths while basking. Becuase i havent seen mine open-mouth bask :s

[Emily-Fisher]

Animals bask with their mouths closed about 80% of the time....don't worry :)

[alex_33]

okay thanks! no need for me to be worried anymore then :D