Spit out vs. regurgitation

I'm wondering where the line is between a snake spitting out a rodent and a snake regurgitating. 20 minutes? An hour? 24 hours? I guess I'm wondering at what point the rodent becomes "partially digested".

I would consider spitting out to be before the snake fully swallows the prey....once it's swallowed and moved down the body, I believe it's regurgitation any time after that

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Originally Posted by Willow88

I would consider spitting out to be before the snake fully swallows the prey....once it's swallowed and moved down the body, I believe it's regurgitation any time after that

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Regurgitation happens before the digestion process begins. This is dependent on the breed and metabolism of the snake. Regurgitation is in essence "spitting up."

A large active colubrid like a cribo will begin and complete digestion sooner than most boids. Therefore the window where regurgitation ends is narrower.

Vomiting is the other term.

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Originally Posted by Crazy4Herps

I'm wondering where the line is between a snake spitting out a rodent and a snake regurgitating. 20 minutes? An hour? 24 hours? I guess I'm wondering at what point the rodent becomes "partially digested".

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I would have to say that the entry point of the stomach would be the line between the two.
If the prey makes it all the way into the stomach and then gets expelled... It is a regurgitation.
If it doesn't make it all the way into the stomach before expulsion... It is a spit-out.

Personally, the line between the two is alot more simply defined for me.
If I open the enclosure and gag from the smell... It's a regurgitation.
If not... It's a spit-out...

So wait a sec...

If the snake doesn't fully swallow it and spits the rest out before is that considered a regurge?

Not trying to hijack thread :)

Thanks for the input! I've always been curious about this. I've got a BP who seems to have chronic spit out syndrome, I'm beginning to wonder if she's actually regurgitating. No smell, though, thank gosh! Last regurge in my collection, I ended up throwing out the tub the snake was in after I bleached it three times and it still reeked. Anyways, I'll watch my BP more closely next feeding to see just how far she gets the mouse down. Either way, there seems to be a problem. As soon as I can get one I'll bring in a fecal, and if that's negative I'll bring her in for a checkup.

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

If the snake doesn't fully swallow it and spits the rest out before is that considered a regurge?

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No. If a snake hears a loud noise (or vibration I guess :P) or a quick movement that frightens them while they're eating, they sometimes let go of the rodent before it has even begun to be digested. I made this thread to debate the point at which a spit out becomes a regurge.

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

So wait a sec...

If the snake doesn't fully swallow it and spits the rest out before is that considered a regurge?

Not trying to hijack thread :)

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If the digestion process has begun - its a vomit. By definition, vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents in the gastric system. It is an involuntary reflex.

If it hasn't - it's a regurge. By definition a regurgitation is the expulsion of matter from the mouth, esophagus or pharynx. It is voluntary.