Snake bit himself during feeding

slowhite03 · 08-10-13, 11:09 PM

Today was feeding day and my mbk was fed two hoppers. I have weaned but I switch between weaned and two hopers since I had some left over. Anyways, after the first one, he unraveled his tail and he thought it was food and bit himself. I thought it was funny. Has anybody else expierenced anything like that before?

And just to **** this down before it happens, he is fed in a 2 ft by 17 inch tub. He is not fed in a small bin. No need to mention this

Mikoh4792 · 08-11-13, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowhite03

Today was feeding day and my mbk was fed two hoppers. I have weaned but I switch between weaned and two hopers since I had some left over. Anyways, after the first one, he unraveled his tail and he thought it was food and bit himself. I thought it was funny. Has anybody else expierenced anything like that before?

And just to **** this down before it happens, he is fed in a 2 ft by 17 inch tub. He is not fed in a small bin. No need to mention this

My cali king always bites herself, I don't think she is aware of her own body at times.

How come you feed in a separate enclosure?

marvelfreak · 08-11-13, 04:52 AM

My male BRB bit himself once and wrapped. He almost drowned himself in the water bowl while doing it all. I had to pull him out of the water bowl at which point he let go and took a shot at me. Finally he got the rat.

smy_749 · 08-11-13, 05:56 AM

Happens a lot actually, especially when they are overly excited. Just make sure he doesn't start swallowing himself.

**Pareeeee** · 08-11-13, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Happens a lot actually, especially when they are overly excited. Just make sure he doesn't start swallowing himself.

Yeah, while this looks funny, this can kill them. Always supervise your snake when feeding to be sure he tags the mouse instead of himself.

I originally thought this photo was hilarious until I was told the same thing just I told you.

Lankyrob · 08-11-13, 02:39 PM

My Sd retic did this a couple of times, not even during feeding tho, just misting him would set him off striking!

Kettennatter · 08-11-13, 02:49 PM

Fairly typical for many king snakes with well-developed feeding responses. My CA king will try to eat almost anything that either has a pulse, a scent, or just moves. (There are exceptions to that: He tried to eat his enclosure.)

Keep a close eye on the snake and try not to overstimulate him. In my case helps if I minimize handling, offer a larger food item instead of a series of smaller ones, and keep him well-fed. I cannot suppress this behavior completely, though.

**lady_bug87** · 08-11-13, 03:41 PM

Red amazon does this all the time. Usually when trying to chew my face off

Terranaut · 08-11-13, 04:31 PM

Yup my big sunglow female bit her back and constricted herself for about 10 minutes once. There is a thread in here about is somewhere.