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RAUK - Archived Forum - Autohaemorrhaging in Snakes

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Autohaemorrhaging in Snakes:

Author	Message
Mika Member Joined: 03 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 21 View other posts by Mika	Posted: 07 Apr 2006 Morning all, I was wondering whether anyone could provide some information on autohaemorrhaging in snakes? Which species do it (Grass snakes? Hog-noses? Wood?) and how do they do it? Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar	Posted: 07 Apr 2006 I'm not aware of any snakes which are 'squirters', although I know of at least one Jamaican species which is a 'bleeder'. I believe the mechanism involves increasing blood pressure in certain areas until a thin membrane fractures, I'll try to find a reference and add more detail. Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG).

Mika Member Joined: 03 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 21 View other posts by Mika	Posted: 07 Apr 2006 Thanks Steve, would appreciate that

Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane	Posted: 07 Apr 2006 This link has some pics of Grass Snakes. If you click on it, there is a pic of a grassie bleeding from its mouth (autohaemorrhaging). http://community.webshots.com/photo/462649628/14632262530654 88803TUKCrS Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com

Mika Member Joined: 03 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 21 View other posts by Mika	Posted: 11 Apr 2006 Thanks Dan, that's a very interesting picture!

Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane	Posted: 03 May 2006 Mika and Steve, The species in which autohaemorrhaging has been observed are; The Dwarf Boas, which bleed from their mouth and eyes, after forming a tight ball to protect themselves; Tropidophis greenwayi, T. haetianus, T. maculatus, T. melanurus, T. pardalis, T. semicinctus, from the West Indies, and T. parkeri, and T. paucisquamis from the mainland. Also, Rhinocheilus lecontei bleeds from its cloaca and nostrils, Heterodon platyrhinos, which bleeds from its cloaca, prior to feigning death, and Nerodia erythrogaster, which bleeds from its gums. These species are "thrashers", and the increased blood pressure causes bleeding. Dwarf Boas have more control over their bleeding. All of these species are from North America. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com

- Autohaemorrhaging in Snakes

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