Mouth wide open???

[yeroc1982]

So this morning I walked into the room, turned the light in and looked at my boa tank. He was sitting there with his mouth wiiide open, must have been at least 2 mins until he closed it. Don't know how long he was doin this before I walked in.

[yeroc1982]

Btw, he is a dumerils boa, about 1 year old. I fed him last nite, same as usual, no problem. Just kinda scared me seeing his mouth open for that long of time.

[sarahlovesmiike]

Could be a sign of a respiratory infection, could be nothing. Considering he just ate I'm highly doubting that it's an infection.

[yeroc1982]

Could be a sign of a respiratory infection, could be nothing. Considering he just ate I'm highly doubting that it's an infection.

Thanks. The only thing different last nite when I fed is, when I showed him the rat, he seen it and tried to strike it but missed and bit this fake vine thing, his mouth got stuck on it for couple seconds then struck again and got the rat. Didn't think it was a big deal. I really hope he's alright. I will check on him as soon as I get home.

[Freakie_frog]

Am I wrong but could it have been a threat display.. You know sudden bright light, big warm thing moving around, Little snake just fed last night feeling defensive??

If he has an RI bad enough he has to open mouth breath he's had it for a while and it's bad.. Keep an eye one him and see how it goes but I feel pretty sure it was a don't mess with me and not I'm sick open mouth.

[sarahlovesmiike]

Perhaps his mouth is sore from getting stuck? My boy zeus (a ball python) struck at a rat and hit his ceramic water dish once. His bottom lip was all pushed in and he sat with it open for a little while until they went back to normal... He refused food for about a month after that though.

[yeroc1982]

Am I wrong but could it have been a threat display.. You know sudden bright light, big warm thing moving around, Little snake just fed last night feeling defensive??

If he has an RI bad enough he has to open mouth breath he's had it for a while and it's bad.. Keep an eye one him and see how it goes but I feel pretty sure it was a don't mess with me and not I'm sick open mouth.

Could have very well been. I just never seen him or any of my other snake do it so I was concerned. He always eats well, very friendly. No mucus or anything like that on his nose or in his mouth. I checked his mouth while he had it wide open and looked perfectly normal. He hasn't been acting any different that normal.

[Freakie_frog]

Could have very well been. I just never seen him or any of my other snake do it so I was concerned. He always eats well, very friendly. No mucus or anything like that on his nose or in his mouth. I checked his mouth while he had it wide open and looked perfectly normal. He hasn't been acting any different that normal.

I think it's worth noting though..Keep an eye on him and see if you start noticing other odd things might have him checked out..

[yeroc1982]

I think it's worth noting though..Keep an eye on him and see if you start noticing other odd things might have him checked out..

Ok thanks for the replies!

[Alexandra V]

I've seen a few boa threat displays with the mouth wide open, so if nothing shows up that points to an RI or a slight injury because of the vine thing, I would believe that the snake was just feeling really defensive and that you just started it.

Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of an RI though...