Clicking

[Mandi0284]

Bitzy is getting ready for a second shed. I noticed last night that she has a scale thats peeling on the upper lip just behind the eye. Also she has been making a slight clicking sound when she takes a deep breath. Whats going on?

[guidofatherof5]

Most clicking is the glottis opening and closing. Usually nothing to worry about.

[Mandi0284]

oh ok. I was a little concerned cause she is so small. Here is the stuid question of the day.... what is the glottis?

[guidofatherof5]

Wind pipe. The tube where the tongue comes out.

[d_virginiana]

Clicking isn't a problem unless you also notice the snake breathing very hard or opening their mouth to breath as well.

[guidofatherof5]

Here is a photo of a closed glottis.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//816/glottis11.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

It's how they breathe. Throught that little hole, which opens and closes. Sometimes makes a clicking noise when it does. When the mouth is closed, this draws air in through the nostrils via an opening in the roof of the mouth. It's also how snakes are able to breathe while swallowing. Just about all snakes will produce a clicking noise at some point in their lives. Some seem to do it around shedding time, but then stops after shedding.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/rockyballboa/morphology-venomous-snake-head.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Here is a photo of a closed glottis.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//816/glottis11.jpg

Wow, did you take that picture yourself? I need to learn how to use the macro setting on my camera.

[guidofatherof5]

Wow, did you take that picture yourself? I need to learn how to use the macro setting on my camera.

Yes I did.

[RedSidedSPR]

I thought you did but then I was like nah, his cameras not that good.... is it? DAMN that's cool!!


Wow, did you take that picture yourself? I need to learn how to use the macro setting on my camera.

Not too much to learn, just switch it to macro and let start takin pictures you'll figure anything you need to out. It just allows the camera to focus on the closer objects

[EasternGirl]

Yes, mine click more during shed time because the nares (nostrils) often get blocked by shed and then they breathe better when the shed comes off. Also, many garters click when they are nervous...you may notice the sound when you pick them up.

[ConcinusMan]

Anytime respiraton rate increases, such as, right after you just finished chasing your snake across the living room :p then you might hear clicking. It's normal. What you should not be hearing is whistling, wheezing, gurgling.

[RedSidedSPR]

I hear it a lot right after an encounter with water too, clearing or "coughing" out the water I guess.