Have you ever faced a bizarre situation where your pet snake starts biting and consuming its own tail? It is undoubtedly a disturbing sight that can leave pet owners feeling helpless and bewildered. If this sounds like something that happened to you, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why a snake may exhibit this behavior, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again in the future. So, let’s dive in and find the solution to the problem of a snake that keeps eating itself.
HELP!! My Snake Keeps Eating Herself !!! ~ I Saved Her But…
Introduction
When you first own a pet snake, you might not expect some of the strange behaviors they exhibit. One such behavior that can be alarming to watch is when a snake eats its own tail or even itself. As a content creator, I had to deal with this exact issue with my black-headed cat snake. It was a stressful and confusing experience, but I learned plenty from it. In this article, I will share how I saved my snake and what you should do if you ever encounter such behavior with your pet snake.
The Incident
One day, I noticed a strange movement in my snake’s enclosure. I went up to inspect it and was shocked that my beloved snake appeared to be eating her own tail! The situation was quite alarming as the snake was wrapped around its own tail, and it was clear she’d been eating it for a while as it was already torn.
The Trouble
I was panicking because I was unsure about what to do. While doing some quick research, I found out that this was not an uncommon sight, and it could be due to several reasons such as injury, illness or stress. Upon closer inspection, I saw that my snake had an injury at the back of her tail that had healed, and she may have been trying to get rid of the dead skin. So, I assumed that this behavior was due to my snake’s injury.
The Solution
The first thing that I did was to remove my snake from its enclosure and completely clean it with disinfectant. Once again, I did some research and found that Betadine was the right choice for the kind of disinfection needed. I gave my snake a Betadine bath to avoid any possible infection. I kept a close eye on her and monitored her behavior, and thankfully, she appeared to be healing well. After 2-3 weeks, I returned the snake to her enclosure.
I learned that the snake’s enclosure needed to be changed and disinfected regularly because the behavior can happen again, and it could be harmful to the snake. I also decided that keeping a close eye on the snake’s behavior and health was necessary.
FAQs
- Why did my snake eat its own tail?
There could be several reasons why a snake might eat its own tail, and some are due to injuries, illness, or stress. In my case, the snake had an injury at the back of her tail that healed and was shedding its dead skin.
- Is it normal for snakes to eat themselves?
No, it is not normal for snakes to eat itself. It is an alarming and stressful behavior thay should be addressed immediately.
- What should I do if my snake eats its own tail?
The first thing you should do is remove the snake from its enclosure, clean the enclosure with disinfectant, and monitor the snake’s behavior and health. A visit to the vet may also be necessary.
- Can Betadine be used to clean a snake’s enclosure?
Yes, Betadine can be used to clean a snake’s enclosure. It is important to use a disinfectant that is safe for the snake.
- Can a snake survive if it eats itself?
No, if a snake continues to eat itself, it will not survive. It is crucial to address the issue immediately to prevent severe harm or death to the snake.
Conclusion
As a snake owner, I learned that it’s important to be observant and look out for any strange behavior. Eating itself is not typical behavior for a snake, so if you encounter it, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional. Clean and disinfect the enclosure, monitor the snake closely and seek help if needed. Remember to keep your snake in a suitable enclosure and provide the necessary shelter and care. Lastly, enjoy your pets with a responsible attitude, and always remember the welfare of the animal must come first.