For most people, the idea of someone wanting to eat themselves is rather startling, but for many snakes, this is a common behavior that occurs naturally.
This article will give you some facts about snakes and then attempt to explain why it happens.
Scientifically speaking, autophagy is the act of self-cannibalism.
It is a survival mechanism that allows the snake to consume its own body mass for certain nutrients and energy.
It is a common theme among captivity-bred snakes than those caught from the wild.
In fact, some research has shown that up to 72% of captive-bred ball pythons will engage in autophagy.
Reasons Why Snakes Eat Themselves
As aforementioned, the reason why snakes eat themselves is to provide themselves with the nutrients to survive starvation or deprivation.
Another reason for this behavior has to do with the snake’s natural instinct to reduce competition among its own species.
This could be due to a shortage of food or because the snake is an outcast among its relatives.
A common misconception about snakes that eat themselves is that they are doing so due to stress.
This theory did have some basis in fact, but there has since been research conducted which disputes this claim.
Instead, it is now believed that self-cannibalism is a natural part of the snake’s biology and it is an adaptive behavioral mechanism that has been genetically passed down from previous generations.
There are many physical consequences to eating itself, not just for the snake but also for society as a whole.
While snakes may be able to survive after doing so, there are often issues with food absorption.
This prevents the snake from properly digesting its own meal and may lead to serious health complications or even death.
Medical and nutritional means are ways to treat these issues.
Cons of Snake Self-Cannibalism
However, there are many cases where snakes will die due to their habit of eating themselves.
It is also important to note that snakes that eat themselves are often easy prey for predators.
This is due to the fact that they struggle to defend both their tail and their head as the rest of their body begins to shrink.
The tail is usually attacked first since it can be eaten by other snakes without causing harm, whereas the venomous fangs of the snake cannot be used until its head is consumed.
In a nutshell, eating itself seems to be a rather disgusting habit that even the snake may try to resist.
However, it is a common behavior among captive snakes who have been deprived of necessary nutrients and/or have been abandoned by their own species.
There are also steps you can take as a proprietor to help reduce the chances of your snake eating itself.
This includes making sure you have a proper diet, giving them adequate space to live, and making sure they have enough contact with other snakes.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, “eating themselves” is a natural response for some snakes that may be caused by a combination of nutritional deprivation and instinctual behaviors.
However, this behavior can lead to many issues such as reduced ability to absorb nutrients and increased risk of predation.
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