Is this normal?

[ZoologyMajor]

Ok so you know how the scales on the underbelly of snakes look like one big long scale? Well on my okeetee there is a spot where her scales change to big long ones to several individual ones. (see picture) Is this normal?

[Kokopelli]

looks normal enough to me. If you see that this spot reddens or anything of the sort- it may be a bruise but I -really- doubt it. It looks perfectly normal, if you're not sure, simply keep an eye out on it

[toyah]

Divided ventral scales are not uncommon on corn snakes - every one of mine I've checked has at least some. I wouldn't worry about it :)

[TWGarland]

your not referring to where the (excuse the spelling) umbilical cord was are you?

[TWGarland]

is that even what you call the bit that links the snake to the inside of its egg? To be honest that was just a complete guess. My snake has a similar break in the belly scutes that i always thought was the snake equivalent of a belly button, but then again i could just be an idiot?:crazy02:

[Nanci]

You can see it on Zee in this picture:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/ZeeJanuaryShed094cr600.jpg

[toyah]

Snakes do have umbilical cords to connect them to their yolk sack in the egg, and yes they do tend to have divided scales where the "bellybutton" would be.

[MerlinsPop]

I was going to ask the same question, because I noticed Butter has at least one divided scales like that, but it can't possibly be the 'bellybutton' unless it's only about 5 inches down from the neck on a 4 foot snake.

[TWGarland]

hmm, you see my snake has it towards the backend of the snake, above the cloaca, so it owuld be where you think on mine...

Maybe it has something to do with the angle the egg lies at during incubation. That might affect where the yolk sack sits and attaches to the snake? Thats my best guess ;)

[ZoologyMajor]

Interesting hypotheses. Makes me curious but I'm just glad that mine isn't the only one that has it.

[wade]

I have spent the last half hour reading about the anatomy of eggs and looking at sights for snake navels. I've learned alot. There are lots of different snake belly button rings. There is a town called Snake Navel, Idaho. There is very little about snakes actual navels on the internet.

I did learn that there isn't an "umbilical cord" for snakes, his belly is attached directly to the yoke.

[TWGarland]

ooh, im all intrigued now!!

[toyah]

I did learn that there isn't an "umbilical cord" for snakes, his belly is attached directly to the yoke.

Are you sure about this? I was just reading some papers about snakes (specifically about corn snakes, coincidentally) that make mention of umbilical cords. The yolk is attached to the snake by matter of the umbilical cord, surely?

Or is there another name for it in snakes ...

[wade]

The paper I was reading showed a narrowing of the yoke that attached to the snake. They indicated it was part of the yoke.

I'm going back to read some more.

[MerlinsPop]

The paper I was reading showed a narrowing of the yoke that attached to the snake. They indicated it was part of the yoke.

I'm going back to read some more.

Kinda like the mouth of a balloon? As the yolk absorbes, teh snakes just sucks the whole thing in, at least that's how I understood it.

[Nanci]

Same thing happens with turts/torts. Sometimes when they hatch, you can still see yolk hanging there, which is apparently ok.

[wade]

I'm still reading and not finding the answer but am learning alot of other good stuff. The article I just read was talking about how much development the embryo goes through before the egg is laid. This picture is of a spotted python embryo. This picture was taken two hours after oviposition.

[ZoologyMajor]

very intriguing picture.. kinda makes me wanna cry though

[JustineNYC]

Interesting hypotheses. Makes me curious but I'm just glad that mine isn't the only one that has it.


My butter has a very noticable "belly button"

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/HomeDepotGurl/belly3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/HomeDepotGurl/belly2.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/HomeDepotGurl/belly6.jpg

I originally didnt know what it was, thought maybe she got cut by something in her tank, and then posted the pics here. Ive kept an eye on it since, and its the same, not smaller, not bigger. I cant find the marking on any of my others.

[ZoologyMajor]

wow yeah yours really is noticeable. I see her little head popping out over your hand...so cute.

[ghosthousecorns]

Now I am going to have to visit Snake Navel, Idaho before I die! That place sounds interesting lol

[Nanci]

This picture is of a spotted python embryo. This picture was taken two hours after oviposition.

It looks like a bird head on a snake body...Cool. I was the kid in Biology who wouldn't dissect my chicken egg every day- I let mine all hatch.