Amazon Problem

[Zoe]

I was trying (unsuccesfully) to feed my amazon tree boa tonight, and noticed that she has some black marks around her mouth. They are quite recent, but I think they could be mouth rot?

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/13501.jpg
That's the best pic I could take (she was lunging at the camera).

I've also noticed that I have never seen her open her mouth. While she is a big, heavy animal, she has not eaten or struck with an open mouth.

Is this what I think it is?

Zoe

[Zoe]

Oh, I was told by her seller that she HAD eaten before (but that the first few times, she had regurgitated).

[Linds]

From the pic it looks like black paint :confused: I've never seen any cases of mouthrot start off like that. Is there any swelling? What does it look like inside the mouth?

[Zoe]

I have yet to open her mouth, and am trying to find someone around here to help me with her (I have little experience with mouthrot and big aggro snakes).

Zoe

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Could it just be dirt stuck there? Hard to tell, but I see you have some pothos by the looks of it in there. I dont know if thats possible just a suggestion.

[Memnoch]

If you want to get her mouth open, I'd suggest tubing her and then use a q-tip or something to that effect to open her mouth or try to dab that section up (it very may be dirt). Another possibility is that is maybe mold or some sort of fungal infection which is possible if the enclosure is overly damp (constantly soaking wet) with poor ventilation.

I use that method when I need to get close to snappy snakes (like my ATB).

BTW I'm not too sure if that is mouth rot. From what I've seen, mouth rot tends to involve a swelling around the gumline, and usually some sort of mucus discharge.

[Ed_r]

Just put on a leathery gardenting glove, more than likely she wont strike becuse she wont sense your heat, then you can pretty much just grab her. Gently but firmly grab her behind her head.

If she does happen to bit you its not the end of the world, but with a glove they usually wont, then get a soft but firm object and open her mouth, she will probably have it open after you grab her anyway.

Distract her with one hand so she keys on it, the come from behind and grab her with the other. (Ammies are not that bright)
Be warned she will coils yur hand and prolly pee all over you.

[Piers]

I see you have live plants in the cage, it mite be dirt or an old scar.
Piers
guppyranch@uniserve.com