eyewitness

[shocked]

I haven't found any info. on what I witnessed, so I need input from folks who should know.........this summer, we were in the mountains of east tennessee and came across a garter snake with several young; we obviously startled the snake and the most amazing thing happened: she? opened her mouth and the young snakes went down her throat! I have lived in these mountains all my life and been told these snakes would do this, but I never believed it until I saw it with my own eyes.

[KITKAT]

Originally Posted by shocked

I haven't found any info. on what I witnessed, so I need input from folks who should know.........this summer, we were in the mountains of east tennessee and came across a garter snake with several young; we obviously startled the snake and the most amazing thing happened: she? opened her mouth and the young snakes went down her throat! I have lived in these mountains all my life and been told these snakes would do this, but I never believed it until I saw it with my own eyes.

I do not know if this is mouth brooding or not... never heard of it in snakes. However, I have definately seen it in fishes, and there is a species of fish that does this on a regular basis.

[Serpentine99]

quite strange i think i read that in an old snake book from the 60's. they were trying to debunk the myth by saying people may have mistaken a rodent tail for the tails of young. ill have to go find the book

[ssssnakeluvr]

I find it very unlikely...have never seen a documented case of it....generally, snakes are on their own once they are born. possibly a case of cannibalism mistaken for it...... I have seen videos of fish that protect their young that way, but no other animals....

[Stefan-A]

Equine waste product, that's what I think of it. No offense.

[zooplan]

May be you´ve disturbed an act of cannibalism?
That would be spectacular too but the only thinkable occurrence.

[Cazador]

Unlike fishes and frogs that conduct mouth brooding, female snakes have ravenous appetites after giving birth. Garters secrete proteases that break down protein and would digest anything proteinaceous (like babies) that enter their mouth/esophagus/stomach. Mouth brooding fishes and frogs actually stop eating and turn off their protease secretion during parental care. Since locomotion is based on traction, the young wouldn't be able to leave the mother's mouth/esophagus/stomach after entering, and as mentioned, garters don't provide parental care. I think Stephan hit the nail on the head, and maybe Alice is having a little fun with us . Careful, Alice. I heard Bigfoot lurks in those woods, too .

Rick

[zooplan]

Hi Rick,
why did you edit you post
I´had to think for an answere to that short version, now I´ve got to think about anther reply.
Also to the Bigfoot theory, there could have been another female thatcame along while the mother gave birth and took the occaion for an easy meal.
Hey Alice, was it a warm or a cold day?

[Cazador]

I thought that in order to avoid a battle of words and opinions, I should provide a meaningful explanation for my statement . Very entertaining story, though. I'm always up for a good "yarn" to be told around a campfire, and that's a good one... might need a few beers first, though .

[CrazyHedgehog]

You don't believe in the yeti?

in the early 20th century - if you said you'd seen a giant Panda then the same scorn would be passed as if youd seen a yeti!!
I bet you think the tooth fairy is a myth too!