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Autohaemorrhaging in Snakes

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Mika View Drop Down
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    Posted: 07 Apr 2006 at 5:22am

Morning all,

 

I was wondering whether anyone could provide some information on autohaemorrhaging in snakes? Which species do it (Grass snakes? Hog-noses? Wood?) and how do they do it? Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Vicar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vicar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2006 at 9:19am

I'm not aware of any snakes which are 'squirters', although I know of at least one Jamaican species which is a 'bleeder'.

I believe the mechanism involves increasing blood pressure in certain areas until a thin membrane fractures, I'll try to find a reference and add more detail.

Steve Langham - Chairman    
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group
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Mika View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mika Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2006 at 10:12am
Thanks Steve, would appreciate that
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan Kane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2006 at 12:52pm
This link has some pics of Grass Snakes. If you click on it, there is a pic of a grassie bleeding from its mouth (autohaemorrhaging). http://community.webshots.com/photo/462649628/14632262530654 88803TUKCrS
Dan



www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com
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Mika View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mika Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Apr 2006 at 4:32am
Thanks Dan, that's a very interesting picture!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan Kane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2006 at 3:04pm

Mika and Steve,

The species in which autohaemorrhaging has been observed are;

The Dwarf Boas, which bleed from their mouth and eyes, after forming a tight ball to protect themselves; Tropidophis greenwayi, T. haetianus, T. maculatus, T. melanurus, T. pardalis, T. semicinctus, from the West Indies, and T. parkeri, and T. paucisquamis from the mainland.

Also, Rhinocheilus lecontei bleeds from its cloaca and nostrils, Heterodon platyrhinos, which bleeds from its cloaca, prior to feigning death, and Nerodia erythrogaster, which bleeds from its gums. 

These species are "thrashers", and the increased blood pressure causes bleeding. Dwarf Boas have more control over their bleeding. All of these species are from North America.

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