What does a sick snake look like?

Healthy snakes have smooth, shiny scales. Lesions, scabs, swelling, and lumps can all be signs of sickness. If you notice your pet has small, brown or red dots, your serpent may have mites.
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How do you know when a snake is dying?

The most common signs that may signify a dying snake include:
  1. Breathing problems.
  2. Abnormal posture.
  3. Scale-related issues.
  4. Sudden weight loss.
  5. Lack of appetite.
  6. Unusual discharge.
  7. Weakness.
  8. Dehydration.
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How do I know if something wrong with my snake?

Signs of Illness in Snakes
  1. Change In Behavior. Behavioral changes are often a red flag in our animal companions. ...
  2. Shedding Problems. Snakes should shed their entire skins at once. ...
  3. Body. Your snake should feel robust and supple. ...
  4. Mouth/Face. Snakes should breathe quietly through their noses. ...
  5. Appearance. ...
  6. Diet/Digestion.
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How can you tell if a snake is dehydrated?

Help! I Think My Reptile Is Dehydrated!
  1. Dry, wrinkled or puckered skin.
  2. Loss of skin elasticity and flexibility.
  3. Sunken, receded eyes.
  4. Weakness and lethargy.
  5. Sticky or dry membranes.
  6. Flaky skin or trouble shedding.
  7. Constipation or infrequent defecation.
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What are common illnesses in snakes?

Common Illnesses in Snakes
  • Infectious Stomatitis (Mouth Rot) Mouth Rot may appear as a small hemorrhage on the gums. ...
  • Blister Disease. Blister disease often develops in reptiles whose environments are either dirty, or too moist. ...
  • Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) IBD is a viral disease that affects pythons and boa constrictors.
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9 Signs Your Snake Is Sick



Can I spray my snake with water?

Should you find a snake (venomous or non) near your home and, for whatever reason, you'd like it to move along, spray the snake gently with a garden hose. A steady stream of water usually gets the snake to move away and seek cover (think about being a child and playing with water guns).
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How long can snakes go without drinking water?

Talk about a conundrum: Sea snakes cannot drink seawater, even though that's where they spend all their time. Scientists curious about how the pelagic sea snake survives have found that the creatures can go up to 6 or 7 months without drinking fresh water, Smithsonian magazine reports.
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Why is my snake moving weird?

Strange postures can signal a respiratory infection; your snake may be uncomfortable because of fluid in its lungs. Serious health concerns like paramyxovirus, inclusion body disease or neurological diseases can also be indicated by stargazing.
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When should I take my snake to the vet?

Does he really need to see a veterinarian? Within 48 hours of your purchase, your snake should be examined by a qualified reptile veterinarian. The veterinary visit typically includes determining the animal's weight, as well as checking for abnormalities such as lumps and bumps or signs of external parasites.
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Why is my snake not active?

Sick snakes will often be lethargic, less active and will hide or bury themselves. Most ill snakes will not eat and have little to no interest in food, regardless of what prey item is offered or whether prey is fed dead or alive.
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Why does my snake look deflated?

Dehydration is a sign common with many serious illnesses. To tell if your snake is dehydrated, look at the condition of their eyes. A normal snake's eyes should be bright and clear, whereas a dehydrated snake will have cloudy, sunken eyes.
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How long can a snake go without eating?

Generally speaking, snakes can go a long time without being fed or eating. Nearly all snakes can last a few weeks, no problem. Similarly, most snakes can even last a few months. After the two-month mark, certain snakes will begin to starve.
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How much water does a snake need?

As a rule of thumb, fill the tank with water that rises to half the height of your snake. For instance, if your snake is 1 inch tall, fill the tub with ½ inch of water.
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Do snakes drink water everyday?

The actions of the muscles of the snakes, it will then squeeze the water down in the gut. The snakes do not drink water on regular basis and the snake found in the harsh climate like desert where getting water is hard, they may live their lives without taking even one drink.
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Does a snake need water to survive?

Drinkable Water

Like all animals, snakes require liquid water to survive. Most terrestrial species acquire water from lakes, rivers or temporary puddles. Species that live in areas with little standing water collect dew or rainwater on their backs, and then drink it one droplet at a time.
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Should you spray snake plant leaves?

That being stated, it is generally not recommended to mist the leaves of a snake plant. Misting the snake plant's leaves can cause them to become overwatered, leading to several other health issues. Their leaves are accustomed to staying dry, as they get their moisture from the humidity within their environment.
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What type of bedding is best for snakes?

Aspen bedding is one of the most popular types of beddings for pet snakes. These wood shavings are nearly free of dust, don't have a smell that will irritate your snake's respiratory tract (like pine and cedar can do), and are free of dyes. Aspen is very absorbent, so it's great for containing messes.
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Should you mist your snake?

You can mist once or twice a day as needed. Just make sure to keep an eye on the substrate for any signs of mold or rot. If you see this, you may be misting too heavily. Some owners choose to automate misting by using a reptile mister.
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What does an infection look like in a snake?

Skin infection (dermatitis) is often seen in snakes (and other reptiles) kept in environments that are too moist and/or dirty. Snakes may have red, inflamed skin with numerous small, blister-like lesions that may be on the underside of the snake making them easy to miss.
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Why is my snake turning white?

Often times, when your snake plants look bleached white, it's because it is. This white effect occurs when your plant is in an area of too much sunlight. The intense sun literally bleaches the leaves of your plant and leaves it without color. Naturally, moving your plant out of direct sunlight should help immensely.
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Why would a snake look lumpy?

Snakes commonly develop lumps and bumps either on their skin or within their bodies. Various conditions can cause these abnormal swellings and masses. External lumps may be caused by infection (typically referred to as abscesses), tumors, or parasites.
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