Thoughts on this sound he makes?

Hi guys,

For about the past ~8 months, my corn snake has occasionally (every few days to once/twice a day) made a "sneeze" sound. He isn't necessarily moving around when he does this, but I've caught sight of him a few times and it's definitely a forced exhalation / muscle contraction. (I understand snakes don't sneeze, but it's the best way to describe the sound).

He eats normally, sheds normally, defecates normally, and has had no abnormal weight or other behavioral changes over the last 5 years besides this odd breathing thing he does occasionally. His sheds have been complete with the exception of about one a year (but he has never had a problem shedding the eyecaps). He is retaining no shed over his nostrils/mouth.

He exhibits no other symptoms. No open mouth breathing, no head positioning, no mucus or bubbling, no crusting, no whistling. He has become less active over the past year when compared to his 1 year-old self, however that seems more consistent with aging than anything else (but I could be wrong).

Thoughts? My vet will examine him again if I wish, but doesn't really know what to make of his behavior and lack of other symptoms. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

snakes don't sneeze?

Sure they do. And they Cough too.

Perhaps you should read the link below:

http://animals.mom.me/snake-making-sneezing-noises-10871.html

Karl_Mcknight said:

snakes don't sneeze?

Sure they do. And they Cough too.

Perhaps you should read the link below:

http://animals.mom.me/snake-making-sneezing-noises-10871.html

Click to expand...

Sorry, I should specify. They don't have a diaphragm so I didn't want to describe that behavior/symptom in a way that may inaccurately refer to his anatomy. They can forcefully contract their rib muscles, yes. I also agree that may encompass similar benefits to that of a traditional sneeze or cough, but it isn't necessarily as sufficient.

Do you happen to have any experience on whether this type of behavior is always linked to RIs? His lack of progression and other symptoms for this long of a period is confusing to me.

My guy makes a weird burst of air and then almost squeaks after. Our vet said it isn’t anything to be concerned about she said it is a normal thing that some corn snakes do


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SillyNoodle said:

Sorry, I should specify. They don't have a diaphragm so I didn't want to describe that behavior/symptom in a way that may inaccurately refer to his anatomy. They can forcefully contract their rib muscles, yes. I also agree that may encompass similar benefits to that of a traditional sneeze or cough, but it isn't necessarily as sufficient.

Do you happen to have any experience on whether this type of behavior is always linked to RIs? His lack of progression and other symptoms for this long of a period is confusing to me.

Click to expand...

ummm.... what?

Snakes sneeze and cough just like any animal does. Why do you sneeze? If dust gets in your nose or pollen or something that irritates you, you sneeze to expel it. So does every other animal including snakes. Did you even read the article?

Snakes can also get "Colds" respiratory infections that can cause them to sneeze, wheeze or cough.

And yes, I had a Boa about 30 years ago with a cold that was sneezing, and I took her to a vet, got a few antibiotic injection, and she cleared up and was fine after.

Felix2018 said:

My guy makes a weird burst of air and then almost squeaks after. Our vet said it isn’t anything to be concerned about she said it is a normal thing that some corn snakes do


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Click to expand...

I really appreciate you sharing your experience! Puts my mind at ease a bit to know there's another healthy corn in the world that is slightly odd like mine.