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Q: Green Tree Python - Tooth Loss
Posted By:

Jaganath

In Relation To:

Vali [LW-11-01]

Hi, I was feeding Vali today and everytime she struck the mouse she couldn't hold it and dropped it. She also did this the last time I fed her, but didn't think much of it. I thought she was just being lazy so I held the mouse on the tongs until she wrapped it up. It was only when I was watching her eat I noticed I couldn't see her teeth!

I examined her mouth after she'd finished and I couldn't see a single tooth in her mouth!!  Her mouth looks clean and I can't see any sign of infection, there are just no teeth.  She's not showing any signs of being ill, she's eating well and behaving normally and her temp/humidity is fine.

I'm at a loss to where her teeth have gone and worried it's a symptom of something serious.

Any help would be great.

Aaron.


Points: 150
Topics: Mouth
Tags: Chondro, Missing, Teeth
Species: Pythons > Morelia > Morelia viridis
Administrative: Show/Hide

Accepted Answer 11/3/2013 8:45:32 AM

Boalicious

I have a friend in Florida who's GTP lost his teeth around two years of age and even though he did regenerate the majority of them back, some did not including one of his front fangs. My friend later found out that the snake was calcium deficient and the vet said it could be genetic or hereditary. At that age he became more aggressive as well which was attributed to sexual maturity. I don't have GTP's so I personally know nothing about them, but I have several friends with them. I will ask around some more and see if anyone has any other experience with this situation. He told me some other things but you said his/her mouth looks clean and healthy so the "osteonecrosis" he spoke of sounds unlikely. Wink (as does a parasite or bacteria) 

 
Author Comment 11/3/2013 9:45:03 AM

Jaganath

Hi, thanks for the quick answer - I've been looking online and calcium deficiency keeps cropping up. Vali is 2 1/2 right now but very tame at the moment.

I couldn't see anything in her mouth that looked wrong other than the lack of teeth - I'll try to get a photo later if she'll cooperate.

 
Assisted Answer 11/3/2013 2:47:02 PM

NCCPythons

It sounds like boas\pythons lose their teeth a lot more frequently than we think (http://www.smuggled.com/snatee1.htm) especially when feeding and that they should grow back.  A couple of my chondros have lost a tooth or two (that I've noticed) and all have seem to grow back.  I would give it some time and see if they do grow back before you start intervening (added calcium, vet, etc.).  However if they truly are all gone then there might be something else going on.

 
Member Comment 11/5/2013 7:42:29 AM

Boalicious

Did you find out anything new? Any changes in your baby? Cool

 
Author Comment 11/5/2013 7:52:52 AM

Jaganath

Hi, she seems absolutely fine - still no sign of infection or anything so I'm going to wait a little while and if they dont come back I'll try a calcium suppliment when I feed her and keep an eye on her in the mean time :)

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