Aussie Pythons and Snakes

junglepython2 · #1 19-Jul-06, 12:48 AM

Hi one of my childrens has just started biting itself??

Its quite methodical using its snout to gently rub along its midsection until it finds a spot where it slowly opens its jaws and gently at first, bites into itself it then quickly releases. it doesnt appear to do itself any damage at least none which is visible. However I'm pretty sure the teeth must dig in a bit.

I have had this snake for many years and it has never displayed this behaviour before, its currently in cooling and hasnt eaten for some time however is in good condition.

The only other point of note is that it shed about 1 week ago, it had trouble starting the shed and missed a bit below its snout which I had to peel off. It is the first bad shed that it has ever had. After I removed the small piece of skin and released it back into the cage it started rubbing itself against the glass and rocks as if trying to remove more but I can't see any remnants of the old skin. It has since stopped doing this, not sure if it is related.

Any help would be appreciated.

craig.a.c · #2 19-Jul-06, 12:54 AM

I don't know why it would be biting itself.
It may have been rubbing itself after you took the rest of the skin because it may have felt like there was still some skin on it. They do get irratated when shedding. Or it could be mites. May explain it biting itself, and rubbing. Does it soak in water much?

junglepython2 · #3 19-Jul-06, 12:58 AM

No soaking, and I already inspected for mites and couldnt find any

craig.a.c · #4 19-Jul-06, 01:04 AM

How often does it bite itself?

junglepython2 · #5 19-Jul-06, 01:16 AM

Well it was doing it about 2 nights ago and since has been in its hide, I took it out tongiht for and inspection, when i released it, it bit itself about 8 times that I saw before going back into its hide.

craig.a.c · #6 19-Jul-06, 01:53 AM

This is very strange behaviour- maybe some more experienced keepers could give some explanations tomorrow. Its got me stumped

BlindSnake · #7 19-Jul-06, 02:12 AM

Im sure you know that the deteriation in shed quality along with this weird behavior could mean `something' is going on.. Iv never had any exp. with those particular symptoms but if i was you I'd give my herp vet a call ASAP.. They may be able to `shed' some light. (excuse the bad pun!) Has the snake shed completely now?? Besides irritation I was thinking if I was a Snake experiencing abdominal discomfort, I might bite myself.. Just a thought..does it seem over-all distressed??

Khukuri · #8 19-Jul-06, 02:13 AM

Two of my BHP hatchies have bitten themselves before, but only during feeding, so I put it down to them smelling the food item on themselves and becoming confused, but that doesn't sound like your case...

Is it biting roughly at the same place? After seeing a few roadkills biting around their wounds, it seems that sometimes snakes will react to pain by biting at it. If it's going the same spot over and over perhaps there's something about that site that's causing pain or irritation.

junglepython2 · #9 19-Jul-06, 02:24 AM

It's definitly not a food reaction, it seems to sense which area to bite and does it somewhat carefully. I don't think its related to the shed as it is all gone, and doesnt seem distressed at all. I even observed it mating with the female last night, which I wouldn't think an overly stressed animal would do.

It's got me stumped as well.

BlindSnake · #10 19-Jul-06, 03:27 AM

Hmmmm. Got yourself a strange one there!!! Only thing I keep coming back to is the discomfort / pain thing.. If Iv iv got pain somewhere i usually touch or hold the affected area. I wonder if the only way they can do that is to bite?? Mabee the will to procreate is stronger then the discomfort, and he is bothered more when hes not occupied?? Like khukuri, I'v only known of feed, related biting which is obviously noy your problem.. Wish you luck, hope you get it sorted out. Must be very worrysome. Hes now the topic of intense discussion at our place too!!!!!! Got some great Herp medicine books, might have a look for ya, see if theres anything relating to biting..

junglepython2 · #11 19-Jul-06, 11:57 AM

Thanks blindsnake, the only thing I can think of is internal parasites, however I've had him for many years and has been fed frozen (defrosted) mice for nearly all those years. And no new snakes have been introduced.

junglepython2 · #12 19-Jul-06, 03:37 PM

OK just checked him out in the hidebox and he had his mouth slightly agape. Its definitly not too hot in there so he isn't thermoregulating. I took him out for a hold and he was fine and not agitated, when I released him he took alot longer to start biting but did do it again and its not in the exact same spot as last time, he also appears to be doing it more gently.

He has since been basking on his branch for the last 45min and is no longer biting.

Kersten · #13 19-Jul-06, 03:40 PM

When was the last time he pooed and what did it look like? Also, when did he last eat, is he eating okay?

junglepython2 · #14 19-Jul-06, 03:48 PM

Not eating at the moment but thats because he is in cooling, so last time he ate would have been nearly 2 months ago. There was a large poo when he was shedding that I presume was his, but his mate was also out at the time. Other then it being slightly large there was nothing strange about it.

Kersten · #15 19-Jul-06, 03:48 PM

When are you planning to heat them up again and restart feeding?