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Biology

Physiolog. Colorchange
Sleeping position
Casting fur balls
Gastrointestinal ventilation

"Gastrointestinal ventilation"

  

This behavior described here and published as a Natural History Note in the 2009 Herpetological Review 40(2): 231 is very unusual, but I have repeatedly observed it in several of my northern White-Lipped Pythons (Leiopython albertisii).

The behavior described is shown within seconds, so it's hard to get this onto video and this usually is shown after the lights are out. If being disturbed, the snakes stop showing this behavior. The last time it happend was on Thursday, 12. August 2010 and I tried to make a video of it. It is quite dark and you actually cannot see everything, but as soon as I can provide a better video on this, you'll find it here!

For now, check out this one (make sure to turn on the sound for poop noise): A video (25MB, poor quality)

Approximately three weeks after feeding an adult rat each and one week after defecating and regurgitating fur balls, the snakes were observed raising their head and neck (about ¼ of the body) as well as their tail (including the cloacae). The mouth was opened wide and the glottis was shut. Within seconds, the snake’s mid-body inflated, and then deflated again accompanied by flatulence-like noise and minimum cloacal outcast of a mucilaginous substance. This was repeated four and five times, respectively. It looked as though the snakes were pumping air into their stomach, and then almost immediately releasing it through the cloaca.

Although I'm not sure, if this behavior could also be observed in the wild, it is remarkable that these pythons are able to do so and that they make use of such a strategy.


Everybody who has observed similar behavior, please send me a note!
 		 




 

 
   

 
 

 

 
 
     

 

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