You must have seen many paintings and images of snakes eating themselves. Doesn’t it look scary and unusual, even for a reptile? But you have never seen such incidents. This may make you wonder, “can snakes eat themselves to death, really?”
No, snakes cannot eat themselves to death. They may attempt to eat themselves when they are stressed or confused. This does not kill them directly, but it can be fatal if their body is injured. They may also suffer from digestive issues if they swallow a portion.
Now, the question is what drives them to such suicidal actions. Stay with me and have a good read to explore the mysteries behind it.
Do Snakes Really Eat Themselves?
Not actually. Snakes do not eat themselves out of their natural instinct. This might have disappointed you, as it would have been phenomenal behavior if they actually did it. But be happy that your snake friend is not going to die like this. That would have been awful.
This is not entirely a myth either. Getting confused?
Okay, let’s clarify it. Snakes only eat them in confusion or by mistake unless they are under extreme stress. They do not do it willingly. It’s just another myth like milk snakes drink milk.
Why Do Snakes Eat Themselves
There is no single reason for such behavior of these Slytherin reptiles. Here are some of the major reasons for their attempt to consume themselves.
1. Snakes’ Mistaken Identity
The most common reason for snakes doing such behavior is making errors of judgment. This happens when they make mistakes when identifying their prey. Snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell and hear-sensing abilities.
Eyesight does not play any major role here.
Therefore, when they mistake the location or smell of the prey, they bite themselves. They may mistake their own body for a potential meal, leading to self-cannibalism.
2. They Are Suffering from Hunger and Stress
Snakes are not regular eaters; you can understand it from the carpet pythons’ diet. They still need food, though. If they fail to hunt any prey in the wild, hunger soon results in stress. This stressful condition can drive snakes into a frenzy, causing them to strike anything they move. And that includes their own bodies.
3. Lack of Environmental Familiarity
Sudden changes in the environment can put snakes under stress. This is one of the primary reasons for snakes to eat themselves. It is therefore suggested that pet snakes be kept under observation for the first few days.
Snakes may feel unsafe and threatened in a territory. Every movement may startle them. This includes sudden movement of their tails. Out of aggression and uncertainty, they bite and engulf their bodies.
4. Constriction Reflex
Constriction reflex is a natural behavior in snakes that helps them subdue and kill their prey. They coil their bodies around a prey if they manage to catch it. This squeezing motion cuts off the prey’s oxygen supply and blood circulation. The prey gets suffocated and often dies from lack of blood flow.
The constriction reflex is triggered by the movement of the prey. A snake continues to constrict until the prey stops moving. However, in rare cases, a snake may mistakenly trigger this reflex on its own body, leading to self-cannibalism.
5. Neurological Disorders
Some snakes may experience neurological disorders or brain abnormalities. Their behaviors can get strange and unusual during this time. They act abnormally and sometimes even attempt to eat themselves.
As the snake brain fails to work properly, it leads to confusion and disorientation. As a result, the snake may mistake its own body for prey and try to consume itself. Neurological disorders can be caused by genetic factors, injuries, or other underlying health issues.
Note that this activity is not intentional either. It is rather a consequence of its impaired neurological functioning. Proper medical treatment is required to address the problem and help them survive.
6. Defensive Behavior
Snakes are not as dangerous as people often think them, kudos to movies. They usually try to escape fights. However, if felt cornered, snakes may strike at their predators for self-defense.
If the snake’s own body happens to be within striking range, it may accidentally bite itself. Then, it may instinctively try to consume the part it has bitten. This defensive behavior is a survival instinct, as the snake aims to neutralize any potential danger. However, self-cannibalism through defensive behavior is rare, thankfully.
7. Reproductive Behavior
This may sound stupid, but it is what it is. Snakes are reptiles, not mammals.
Male snakes exhibit unusual behaviors related to mating during the breeding season. In some cases, they may mistakenly attempt to mate with their own bodies. This behavior is driven by the snake’s strong instinct to reproduce and find a suitable partner.
What to Do If Your Snake Tries to Eat Itself?
You must intervene if your pet snake tries to eat itself. Remain calm and take appropriate steps to separate the snake from itself.
- Gently but firmly, grab the snake’s head with a secure grip. Be careful not to squeeze too tightly.
- Slowly and steadily, uncoil or unwrap the snake’s body from the point where it has started to consume itself.
- Once fully separated, immediately place the snake back into its enclosure. If it is already in its enclosure, then try to move it to a nearby enclosure. Or, at least keep an eye on it for its next action.
- Inspect the snake for any injuries and seek veterinary assistance if necessary.
- Evaluate the enclosure conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and hiding spots. Make sure everything is in optimal condition and is not causing any stress on them.
- Monitor the snake closely and consult a reptile specialist or veterinarian.
What to Do to Prevent Snakes from Eating Itself?
To prevent snakes from engaging in self-cannibalism, it’s essential to provide a suitable environment and proper care. Here are some tips that my vet shared with me to look after my reptile slytherin from self-destruction.
- Proper Housing: Ensure the enclosure is appropriately sized. Make sure there is enough space for the reptile to hide. Arrange appropriate temperature, humidity, and light levels. The enclosure must have a safety lid to prevent accidental escapes.
- Appropriate Feeding: Feed your snake appropriately sized and nutritious prey items at regular intervals. This will help avoid prolonged hunger and stress.
- Environmental Enrichment: Provide objects and stimuli that mimic the snake’s natural environment. Consider adding branches, rocks, and suitable substrates. The nature of these enrichments may vary depending on their species.
- Handling with Care: Handle your snake gently and minimize unnecessary disturbances. Excessive handling or rough treatment can cause stress and confusion.
- Quarantine New Snakes: It’s important to keep new snakes separated from other snakes. Even you should be careful of them. It saves them from the infection of diseases or parasites. They also get some time to get used to the new environment.
- Breeding Precautions: During the breeding season, separate male and female snakes. This helps prevent accidental mating attempts that could lead to self-cannibalism.
Also, you need to be careful about another major problem of snakes, such as snake abscess. Learn what causes snake abscesses and how to deal with it.
FAQ
Some more information regarding the self-cannibalism of snakes. This may help you in handling them properly.
What happens if a snake eats itself?
If a snake eats itself, it’s called autophagy. This behavior is rare but can occur due to confusion, hunger, or stress. Snakes have a unique jaw structure that allows them to swallow prey larger than their head, but they can’t digest themselves. In most cases, this self-cannibalism results in death.
Can a snake survive without its head?
A snake can survive for a short time without its head due to residual brain function and reflexes. However, it will eventually die due to the inability to eat, drink, or regulate body functions. The severed head can still deliver a bite reflexively, posing a danger even after decapitation.
Which snake is known for eating itself?
Snakes usually do not eat themselves in reality. The Ouroboros, a mythical snake, is known for eating itself. However, in real life, snakes cannot consume themselves. Nonetheless, they can die from injury and self-harm.
Final Thought on Can Snakes Eat Themselves to Death
No, snakes cannot eat themselves to death, but they can die from this act. They do not do this on purpose. Hunger, confusion, and stress can trigger this behavior. Take proper care of your snakes to prevent them from harming themselves.
Follow the above-mentioned steps to prevent snakes from committing self-cannibalism. Additionally, in case they attempt to eat themselves, follow the instructions to stop them. Don’t ignore your safety.
Reference:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-do-snakes-eat-themselves