FWC biting self

Today I noticed that he tryed eating himself. It wasnt an aggresive bite but still bit. He just stared at his body went over to it and stayed still for a second and then opened his mouth and bit down. I had my hook so I stopped him fast. He still goes up to him but I then tap him. I cant always be next to him obviously so I dont know what to do. I called a budy that is here local and he told me to soak him to make sure that there isnt any food scent on him so I did but he is still curious about himself. Any suggestions?
Thanks
PJ

what's a FWC?

False Water Cobra

no one can help????

Sorry, wish I could but I dont have any experiance with them :( good luck though

Maybe he had an itch he just had to scratch?:P


I'm not sure what it would be exactly...hope you can find some answers.

-Jason

sorry no idea. is this something they do or is it abnormal behaviour?

FWC's are not a common snake among our membership...but with enough patience, I imagine someone with experience will come along. Either experience with FWC's or experience with a snake that bites itself.


Personally, I've never heard of such a thing beyond a missed feeding strike....and the only thing I could think of to suggest has already been mentioned, which is a bath to make sure no prey scent is lingering on the snake's own body.

Yeah, the only logical explanation I can think of is a superstrong feeding response, and a strike that missed.

I own one, big old boy at that. He has never done this but I would not worry to much about it. He isn't really going to harm himself this way.

How old is this snake and had he fed recently?

They are fricken psyco feeders :taz: they about inhale food. If he had been fed recently and was still hungry perhaps some scent was on his body from the last feed.

Don't worry he isn't going to eat himself and he is immune to his own venom so no worries. Young snakes do some dopey things! I have seen young corns distory a pinky, basicly pop it and mangle it till they can't eat it and you have to give them a new one. This happens because they try to eat it sideways.

He will figure it out, just feed him really good. They grow like crazy in the first 18 months and have a need for more food then rat snakes and the like 2-3 meals a week may be what he needs.

Metabolicly they are a lot more like garters and cribos etc. Active during the day, etc. They eat a LOT

Thank you very much all. I have not noticed him doing it today.

He was born July of 2005. I cant tell you how big he is since i SUCK at figuring out lengths

My corn bit himself..silly. He could jsut smell like food. Did you feed him in his cage? My corn bite himself when he was feeding.

I feed in seperate enclosures

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Originally Posted by PJ FF

I feed in seperate enclosures

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That is a good practice, I don't do it other then the animals I keep in pairs but that is a scale issue. In other words since I have 40 plus animals feeding itself is already a chore!

However I still think the smell was on the snake and it triggered a feeding response there is not much you can do about that. He will figure it out he is still very young.

Like I said feed him heavy and that will help. Young FWCs grow like mad, try two items per feed next time. I would bet you don't see this behaviour again anyway. Sounds like he has it figured out.

Alright, thank you Jack. I was feeding 2 live rat pups but moved to 1 small rat. Its amazing how fast they get them down.

My corn snake Cliff bit himself today,there was a lil bit of juice from the mouse on the bottom of the tub and he slithered thru it,and covered the mouse with his body,then 2 mins later he bit himself,but he wasnt long retreating once he realised he bit himself.it was kind of funny though.

Maybe he needs one of those big after surgery cone collars? :P

http://www.gpsdirect.biz/ProductImag...ood1%20055.jpg

Maybe ill go and pick one up tomarrow.