Tourette's syndrome

[guidofatherof5]

I have a little(10 months old) Radix who for the last 6 months has shown a strange head tic. Working with kids the way I have for the last 23 years I have had kids come through my classes with Tourette's Syndrome. Watching this little snake it only reminds me of this disorder. The only way to describe it is when you see someone and you give them a headbob as a way of saying hello. This snake will give anywhere from 5 to 10 of these in a row. Everytime his head rises higher and higher. It appears to only happen when he is not actively doing something else like eating or moving across the enclosure. Sitting still and staring at something is the only time I have observed this behavior. He does everything else like a normal snake except for this tic. Has anyone else ever seen this type of behavior?

[Sid]

This is a new one on me, Steve. I'll have to follow this threat to see what news you get from others. Hope it isn't any thing alarming.

[Snake lover 3-25]

OMG!!!!!!! my turtle does the exact same thing!!!! i worry about him too and he seems to have a slight dent in the top of his head..... but wow his behavior is to the letter!!!!!

[guidofatherof5]

I think because of the large number of babies I have, I'm seeing some interesting issues. This snake is growing and seems otherwise normal. None of his brothers or sisters seem affected by this. He was born here and has grown up with only his family. I would consider him one of the larger snakes of his group. He is a very aggressive eater and enjoys any interaction.

[snakems]

I think because of the large number of babies I have, I'm seeing some interesting issues. This snake is growing and seems otherwise normal. None of his brothers or sisters seem affected by this. He was born here and has grown up with only his family. I would consider him one of the larger snakes of his group. He is a very aggressive eater and enjoys any interaction.

YES! SNAKEMS does this!!! but she only does it if you stroke her in a certain area. I mean its not like its with any pressure at all so I dont know why but she will twitch and do the head thing!! just like you explained.

[snakems]

I think because of the large number of babies I have, I'm seeing some interesting issues. This snake is growing and seems otherwise normal. None of his brothers or sisters seem affected by this. He was born here and has grown up with only his family. I would consider him one of the larger snakes of his group. He is a very aggressive eater and enjoys any interaction.

snakems is also a very aggressive eater and really seems to love nothing more than being held. If i put my hand in her cage and she's out to see that I do she immediately slithers over to my hand and curls up my arm to get out.

[infernalis]

One of my red sided babies has a really strange behavior, quite similar, yet he rolls and flips periodically also.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah.... my turtle is growing and doing everything else fine as well..... i think it's most likely something to do with his brain...... i don't think he's quite right in the head....

[snakems]

One of my red sided babies has a really strange behavior, quite similar, yet he rolls and flips periodically also.

whoa!
thats quite the behavior. I'd probably freak out if I saw my snake do that. lol
one time snakems did something much like a sneeze! and it was AMAZING! lol
I know they dont have a diaphragm so they cant technically sneeze but it sounded SO much like a sneeze (or at least like the little baby sneezes that cats make haha) I was AMAZED and felt like NO ONE would believe me even if I told them but SO LUCKY to actually get to see that lol
she must have had water in her nose somehow or something and had to expell it but it seriously made my like YEAR. hahaaah

[guidofatherof5]

Thought I would put a face to the thread. This little guy is wonderful. Loves to get out and just set with us. He's usually the first one to greet me from this group. He's one that will be staying with us.