Is this normal?

[Miko]

Well, I tried to google this but the only thing I found was deleted. I actually didn't want to ask because I thought I was just being a worry wart, but now I'm thinking better safe than sorry.

From the beginning when I got my snake, the area where he breaths twitches. I wouldn't call them violent twitches but it's like if my eye were to twitch but with his stomach area.

He also kind of does this stop and go thing... where he'll be doing something then it almost looks like he kind of shuts down or just goes to sleep but then he quickly kind of seems "surprised" and jolts back up and gets back to business.

Both of these things are just while he's exploring his terrarium, not eating or anything special.

Are these things normal?

[dr del]

Hi,

They might be.

If the bit that twitches is on his underside about maybe just less than a third down you might be seeing his heart beating.

If it is from the side he could just be breathing quickly because there's a huuuuge animal staring at him.

This might also be the reason for the stop and go but mine tend to do that a lot anyway.


dr del

[DZ Reptiles]

It sounds normal to me.
Don't worry, your not being a worry wart, well maybe a little haha, but we are all sometimes. I remember the first night i had Kya, i probably checked on her three times to see if she was breathing haha!

[sookieball]

Yeah they are pretty cautious creatures and with a big animal watching them they tend to be extra cautious especially youngins.

Sent from my HUAWEI-M860

[Miko]

Thanks guys. I looked it up and couldn't find anything so I thought it was odd. The twitching is on the side, but I don't think it's fast breathing, it's more like an invisible person is pinching him there?

It's probably normal though, thanks a lot. I'm really protective so that puts my mind at ease, lol.

[DarrinLowe]

Does he do it when you hold him? Being able to look at it more closely and observe why could provide some clue as to what is going on. As they say it's prob normal, so you can ease your mind until you see any other problems. Such as regurgitation.

[angllady2]

Since snakes are basically tubes of solid muscle, it is quite easy for them to move those muscles in ways that seem odd to us. I think it's perfectly normal.

Most of mine for example are ticklish. Yes I said ticklish. If I run a finger gently down their sides, they will not only twitch the muscles I touch away, but they'll even move the ones ahead of my finger in anticipation of the touch.

The stop and go thing is normal as well. Since snakes are prey to things like birds and such, if the sense vibrations or see movement or something they will sometimes freeze into place to make themselves "invisible" to a predator. Once they feel the threat has passed, it's business as usual.

Gale

[Miko]

He doesn't do it when I hold him but he does it when I watch him sometimes. I think he's pretty comfortable with me when I hold him maybe it's more if I surprise him or not.