Yawning - is it ever normal?

[babyknees]

Other than after feeding is it ever normal for a BP to yawn? How much yawning would be considered "excessive"? I know that yawning is a symptom of RI and after treating one of my snakes for an RI I'm hyper paranoid about possible RI symptoms. So...is yawning ever normal?

[MissDizzyBee]

Java does it sometimes when he's out. I never see him do it more than twice an hour or so. Definitely normal though, there's pictures and videos from just about everyone.

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[blushingball419]

Yup, it's normal. Mine does it sometimes, usually right after she comes out of her hide to explore at night, although I have seen her do it at other times as well. Yawning isn't the only symptom of a RI, and I think the only time I'd be concerned if you were also hearing wheezing along with it. I'm not really sure what "excessive" yawning would be, but I imagine it would be several of them right after the other, and more than just once or twice a night. But most yawning has nothing to do with them being sick

[loonunit]

I hope it's normal, because I usually witness a yawn a day! I assume they're all yawning up a storm when I'm not even looking.

[Alex.B]

my theory on yawning after eating is it's to help re-align their jaw.

[babyknees]

my theory on yawning after eating is it's to help re-align their jaw.

That's why I thought they did it after eating. Why do they do it the rest of the time though?

[ogdentrece]

One of mine actually does yawn fairly often even when it hasn't eaten in a while. No idea why, but its pretty normal I guess.
I've read somewhere most snakes would realign their jaws in that way but some species including BP's yawn at other times too, but no reason why.
and I like it that my BP does it since it allows me to check for mucus or any other signs of RI when it does. I feel you have nothing to worry about, but then again I'm probably one of the least experienced around here

[SpiffyYoshi]

Does anyone know if they truly yawn or not? I was about to post a thread about this today because I was so curious. My girl and boy both do this at least once each time I take them out. Also after they eat. I seldom see the colubrids do this, although I have once or twice.

I know yawning has something to do with needing more oxygen in mammals. Snakes do require oxygen, so maybe it's dual-purpose. It's so darn cute though!

[m00kfu]

I forget how it got into my head, but at some point I either read or was told that when not re-aligning their jaws yawning is just another way for them to get a taste of the environment.

[purplemuffin]

Could it be like stretching? They are opportunists, could be just their way of staying prepared for any possible prey! Just a thought. I usually see Maru yawn a little after we have gotten him out to handle and he settles down a bit. Not too often, but it happens enough that it's normal to see. Never am fast enough with the camera though!