Re: I stand corrected...

Posted by Callsign Viper on August 18, 1999 at 07:21:42:

In Reply to: Re: Jungle Carpet YAWWWWWN? posted by CD on August 18, 1999 at 00:36:38:

: Snakes often yawn after eating to realign the jawbones. But they also yawn at other times as well, particularly when first waking. It is basically the same as a person yawning when they first wake up in the morning. After being still for an extended period of time they need to stretch a bit to get comfortable.
: Jungles are primarily nocturnal snakes, so if you are handling him during the day, then he has been resting prior to your picking him up.
: I have never interpreted this behavior as meaning the snake was hungry. A snake does not need to unlock the jaw in preparation of feeding, this happens automatically with a strike, it only needs to realign it afterwards. If you watch them in the early evening as they are begining to move about, you will notice them yawn, maybe several times. They will do this regardless of whether they are preparing to hunt or merely explore the cage.

I believe you are right about the jaw realignment, although I have noticed that my balls yawn a lot right before they take their mice. I guess this is a luxury of having a dead mouse. But certainly, you are right abouth the yawn not being required to unlock the jaw... that would have been obvious if I had thought about it. I guess that's what I get for pontificating.

FYI, yawning in mammals has little to do with the jaw. It actually is a mechanism to increase the oxygen flow to the brain. Just ammunition for your next Trivial Pursuit game.. thanx for the quid pro quo.

CV

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: : Snakes often yawn after eating to realign the jawbones. But they also yawn at other times as well, particularly when first waking. It is basically the same as a person yawning when they first wake up in the morning. After being still for an extended period of time they need to stretch a bit to get comfortable. : : Jungles are primarily nocturnal snakes, so if you are handling him during the day, then he has been resting prior to your picking him up. : : I have never interpreted this behavior as meaning the snake was hungry. A snake does not need to unlock the jaw in preparation of feeding, this happens automatically with a strike, it only needs to realign it afterwards. If you watch them in the early evening as they are begining to move about, you will notice them yawn, maybe several times. They will do this regardless of whether they are preparing to hunt or merely explore the cage. : I believe you are right about the jaw realignment, although I have noticed that my balls yawn a lot right before they take their mice. I guess this is a luxury of having a dead mouse. But certainly, you are right abouth the yawn not being required to unlock the jaw... that would have been obvious if I had thought about it. I guess that's what I get for pontificating. : FYI, yawning in mammals has little to do with the jaw. It actually is a mechanism to increase the oxygen flow to the brain. Just ammunition for your next Trivial Pursuit game.. thanx for the quid pro quo. : CV

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