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can a snake suffocate while eating?

C

CornDude

New member
this is 1 thing that really worries me. when i feed my snake larger meals, she takes a while eating them, in which time her who mout is blocked....... is this safe? ive heard they hang their windpipes out, is this true as ive never seen it:confused:
 
Nature has provided a mechanism to prevent choking in snakes- the Tracheal Glottis. A snake can obtain breathing air via their Glottis which is located in the bottom of their mouth. Essentially it's an extension of their wind pipe into their mouth.

Although I'm sure it's possible for a snake to choke, it's quite unlikely to happen due to the Glottis.


Cheers,
Jason
 
I have to agree that it is unlikely, but it is possible. I have seen it happen...or sort of.

We had a client bring in a snake to our clinic. The client said the snake died while it was eating. The mouse was still in the snake's mouth. Anyway, we sent the snake to the state lab and the COD was determined to be suffocation.

It was one of the weirdest cases I have ever seen.
 
Well what I watch when my snakes are grappling with their freshly thumped prey is that they'll coil so strong and wildly, they end up coiling their head up in there too. This is especially so in younger snakes who don't have the coordination yet. =P

That worries me. And usually when I see it I'll gently tease the offending coil off the head. Sometimes I'll not see them inhale for quite a while.
 
CornCrazy said:

We had a client bring in a snake to our clinic. The client said the snake died while it was eating. The mouse was still in the snake's mouth. Anyway, we sent the snake to the state lab and the COD was determined to be suffocation.

It was one of the weirdest cases I have ever seen.
Click to expand...

maybe the snake forgot to breath!!!
 
lol premature babies sometimes forget to breath... lol i can see it now

"hmmm im sure there is something im supposed to do now... *goes purple*.... nope i still cant remember, now what was it? *takes a deep breath* o ye thats the 1"
 
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