Regurgitation

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Regurgitation of food may result from handling a snake too soon

after it has fed.  Regurgitated food is undigested and relatively

odorless.  Another common cause of regurgitation is inadequate

and incomplete digestion caused by relatively cool environmental

temperatures.  In these cases, the regurgitated food appears

digested and is malodorous.  If it is not possible to raise the

temperature of the enclosure, a focal source of heat (hot rock,

heating pad or pads) on which the snake can rest is a necessity

to ensure adequate and complete digestion.



Other causes of regurgitation include stress in easily excitable

species, parasitism, intestinal obstruction and serious

internal disease.  An experienced veterinarian should be

consulted if the cause for regurgitation is not readily

determined.