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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2009 : 16:44:51
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As most of you know, Trio was a bit of a self-harming snake before I got him.
Anyway, He's come on in leaps and bounds, he's started to become a proper nosey kingsnake, and is enjoying tolerating his handling time.
But he done something today that puzzled me. He went for his tail again.
Now since i've had him, I haven't seen any evidence of him doing it, so can only assume he's not done it until today.
I'll explain what I was doing when it happened.
He was in his chocolate orange hide (his fave) and i had to go in to do a bit of cleaning. As I always do, I tend to move things around behind his hide until he comes out to investigate and when he has checked to see what i'm doing, he just tends to climb my arm or something to get in the way 
He done this as usual, but all of a sudden he saw his tail disappearing into a toilet roll tube and just lunged for it.
He didn't get a very good hold on the tail, it was mostly tube he got in his mouth but he still got his tail.
I could see he was trying to get a good hold, but then he let go as suddenly as he struck.
This got me to thinking about why he may of done this.
He's not due a feed, he was fed semi-recently (5 days ago) and has been out since his feed.
I think he just saw it move, and decided to grab it just in case it was food, then when he realised it wasn't he let go.
In which case, surely snakes would know that it's their own tail?? So what else could have caused him to do it?
Any theories??
I've obviously done a fair bit of research and digging to try get some answers especially seeing as he done it in the past. But his reasons for doing it in the past are definately not the same reasons for doing it now.
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-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
 
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matty18714
Moderator
United Kingdom
450 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 17:00:35
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| I wouldnt worry to much, there're just a bit dim. He probably just saw movement and went for it. My corn has tried eating herself at feeding time before. |
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 17:40:43
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My corns have done it during feeding time as well, but never randomly like that.
Just wondered if it was possible for a snake to start losing their sense of smell/taste. or something similar, hence why he lunged, but then let go when he realised it was him. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
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Gingerpony
SerpentSeven's Evil Twin
United Kingdom
726 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 18:51:45
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it was probably instinct over common sense, afterall their brain must be about the size of a pea!  |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, Day Geckos
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Tizzy
Egg
68 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 19:58:05
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| I'm sure I read something about it snakes eating themselves due to injurys causing brain damage and long lasting neurological problems, basically they lose sensation and therefore don’t realise they’re eating themselves. But I’ve slept since then and can’t remember where I read it, or how reliable the site was. |
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lee2308
Kingsnake Forum Admin
United Kingdom
1609 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 21:33:44
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| just kings for you,if it moves eat it! |
1.0 dumeril boa,0.1 bci boa,1.0 royal python,1.0 mbk kingsnake,1.0corn,1.2 chinese water dragon,0.0.1 bearded dragon
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 22:57:07
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i know that he's eaten himself in the past, which is part of the damage he has already go on his tail, however there could be a reason as to why he done that then....
When I had him looked at and explained how his viv was before Wolfspirit got him, The vet said that he would probably have tried to eat his tail then, because it would've tasted and smelt yummy.
Where he only had a bare household bulb, he probably wrapped himself round it, and started to basically cook himself. As he warmed up he would've smelt how warm and yummy he seemed, then tried to eat himself.
So that explains why he done it then.
But just wondered if anyone knew if there could be another reason (aside from being a dopey king snake ) as to why any snakes would do that. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
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Gingerpony
SerpentSeven's Evil Twin
United Kingdom
726 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2009 : 06:39:39
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| good theory............. goes to show how incorrect set-up might ultimately affect them. |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, Day Geckos
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CharlieD
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
22 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2009 : 11:09:57
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| If he's got damage on the tail then maybe he has nerve damage too and cant feel that he is eating himself... I'd agree with everyone else that he probably saw something move and just lunged at it.. dopey snake..Does he have full use and sensation in his tail? right up to the tip? Cleo has a very sensitive tail but often forgets how long she is when hiding under things.. Dopey snake too!!! |
0.1.0 Calli 50/50 High white phase - Cleo
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Kazerella
King Snake Admin
United Kingdom
1512 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2009 : 19:23:12
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If he's been burnt in the past, then maybe the bulb fried his brain a little so it's neurological?
Or it could just be daftness like we said. I think the smell thing is a good point though. Most snakes rely on scent to find food, so maybe his smell sense doesn't work too well, so that's why he's going for things that move instead? |
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Kehhlyr
The Resident Loon
United Kingdom
511 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2009 : 01:19:00
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quote:
Originally posted by CharlieD
Does he have full use and sensation in his tail? right up to the tip?
He does have full use of the tail, albeit it's weaker than most other snakes.
He has feeling in his tail up to the tip, but is most sensitive around his vent, which I found out about when he went to the vets ages ago.
He does also have muscle damage there as well which could cause loads of problems if he ever tried to mate (which he wont) and may cause problems defecating as well. Although the pooing problem will be a 'one day he'll do it, another day he might have difficulties'
But i knew most of this before I got him, he's a lovely snake, and has really chilled out.
quote:
Originally posted by kazerella
Most snakes rely on scent to find food, so maybe his smell sense doesn't work too well, so that's why he's going for things that move instead?
That's what I would've thought, but he can smell his dinner practically before its out of the kitchen
Especially with rats. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
SOME OF MY ANIMALS
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wolfspirit
Hatchling
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2009 : 07:28:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
quote:
Originally posted by kazerella
Most snakes rely on scent to find food, so maybe his smell sense doesn't work too well, so that's why he's going for things that move instead?
That's what I would've thought, but he can smell his dinner practically before its out of the kitchen
Especially with rats.
Maybe it was a case of the the foodie thing engaging before the brain  |
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Grumpy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
138 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2009 : 10:28:58
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| My grey band adult frequently misses the mouse and ties himself in a knot around the tongs, falls in his water bowl or the greenery. From what I've seen Kings aren't as accurate on the strike as others, made me wonder how they are in the wild. |
IanT
Blair's grey band
Albino cali female
Albino grey band female
Chocolate Cali
Taiwanese Beauty female |
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Kazerella
King Snake Admin
United Kingdom
1512 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2009 : 17:53:08
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| I suppose if your natural prey includes rattle snakes then you should learn to strike now and think later |
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wolfspirit
Hatchling
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2009 : 18:18:34
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quote:
Originally posted by kazerella
I suppose if your natural prey includes rattle snakes then you should learn to strike now and think later
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Theories on tail biting.
