Health questions... please reply

[mradford]

To anyone with any info,

I have a black mexican kingsnake that is full grown. He eats regularly (1 mouse a week). Recently I have found that he is eating his feecies (sp?) before I have the change to get them out (which is as soon as I see them - he has been quick!). I am kinda worried about this, just cause I have never heard of a snake doing anything like this. He is healthy in every other way (good temps, good weight, good sheds, etc...), Just not sure if this is a sign of a bigger health problem.

Thanks for any input you may have

~Matt~

[wendy]

WOW...I hae seen dogs do this, but never a snake. Ya sure he is eating enough? Maybe he is trying to cover his scent? Who knows? Silly snake.

[wendy]

This is called Coprophagy,(eating feces) caused by vitamin difficientcy.Or sometimes boredom.

[mradford]

Thanks for the replies. So, how would I go about fixing the vitamin deficientcy or entertaining him? Is there a suppliment I should be giving him?

I was wondering if he was eating enought, but I was told he shouldn' t be eating any more than one adult mouse a week. Should he get two? They arn't making much of a bump anymore.... maybe small rats?

~Matt~

[Tigergenesis]

This is called Coprophagy,(eating feces) caused by vitamin difficientcy.Or sometimes boredom.

These are reasons cited for dogs, etc - not sure if they really apply to snakes, as coprophay is not really documented in snakes.

Are you actually seeing him eat his feces? This is interesting.

You may try posting your problem on this site and you'll get an answer from a vet: http://alexhuereptiles.com/forums/vi...6422fffc4c1d61

[mradford]

Yes, I am seeing him do it. He only eats the brown portion, which at first I thought that maybe it still smelled like a mouse and he was still hungry or something. He eats it pretty quick. Usually, I see him deficate and I immediatly remove it from the tank, but sometimes he gets right back near it, blocks me and chows down.

Like I said, he isn't doing anything else wierd and is otherwise healthy. He is extremely dosile when handling and a good snake. But this is just weird. I have had dogs do this before, but have not heard of snakes...

confused... :roll:

~Matt~

[Tigergenesis]

Very interesting....if you do post on that site for the vet's input, I'd be interested to hear what he has to say - or if you speak to your vet.

[mradford]

There is a site where I can ask a vet? Could you give me the ULR?

thanks

~Matt~

[wendy]

Tiger you are right, what i read is for dogs, I am not sure if it applies for snakes...i would just think it is hungry. just my opinion.
wouldn't hurt to ask a vet.
and if the underlying problem IS boredom, you really need to take him to a movie, horseback riding, a walk in the park, canoeing,etc.maybe put some toys in his enclosure. get him a hobby, like collecting humans. lol.

[Tigergenesis]

There is a site where I can ask a vet? Could you give me the ULR?
thanks
~Matt~

Just check my post above - the link is there.