KNOTTY PROBLEM

Recently a loyal customer found a California Two Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis) stuck in a knot. The snake had an swollen injury below the knot. It was also shedding. The snake had been taken to a vet who looked at at and said "Yep, your snake has a knot in it". But no solution. Fortunately, he is a

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE SAME

friend of the store so the snake came here. I snapped the images so everyone could see. After the little photo shoot I then carefully reversed the knot from the head end pushing rearwards. Once the loop was loose enough I could pull the swollen tail end thru and the snake was free! Now back to the vet (a better one indeed) for antibiotics to help cure the infection.

FREE AT LAST

It makes me wonder if this species uses a knot to push the old skin off and this time the injury got it stuck. Has anyone seen a healthy Two Striped racer shed his skin?

BTW, the snake is feeding on fuzzy mice. Miracles. This will in all likelihood be the best pet striped racer anyone ever had. At least he has a better story than any other!