Expert: no longer wish to be here - 9/2/2006

Question
WE'VE HAD OUR PYTHON SINCE A BABY,SLITHER IS ABOUT 2-3FT LONG.HE'S NOT BEEN AS ACTIVE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS AND TONIGHT I NOTICED A STRANGE CREASE OR ALMOST DENTATION ON HIS SIDE FROM HIS MIDDLE PART TO THE TWO LITTLE SPIKE THINGS ON HIS BELLY(WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS ANYWAY I FORGOT WHAT MY BOOK SAID?).HE'S NOT SHEADING,HE HAD TWO MICE LAST WEEKEND & HE'S BEEN SPENDING ALOT OF TIME IN THE WATER AND ALSO OPENING & MOVING HIS BOTTOM JAW AROUND ALOT WHICH IS NEW.I CAN'T THING OF ANYTHING IN HIS CAGE THAT WOULD OF CAUSED THAT INDENTATION BY HIM LAYING ON IT.I'M JUST VERY CONCERNED & THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE COULD HELP. THANK YOU DEVIN & SLITHER

Answer
Hey Devin,

sorry for the delay, first what kind of python do you have?
the indentation sounds like the muscular side wall of your python my 11 foot boa has the same and it is just where the muscle starts,but i would like to know what he/she is first,and if possable could you send me a digital pic of the area? if so send to xmstuff@optonline.net....now the Spike thingys lol...those are called spurs and they are used for breeding and in some species you can tell the sex by there size, the yawning is normal in most boa's and python's.well i hope this was helpful, but please do get back to me.

                          thanks
                           tommy