Saad News: Watch a wildlife video showing a snake eating itself.
According to the Saednews analytical news agency, the phenomenon of snakes eating themselves, also known as "self-eating" or "self-cannibalism," is a rare but real occurrence in the animal world. This strange behavior, scientifically referred to as "autophagy," has various causes, some of which are related to the snake's physical condition or its environment. Below, we examine the reasons behind this behavior and its related details.
Reasons for snakes eating themselves:
Stress and unsuitable environmental conditions:
In situations where snakes are under severe stress, they may exhibit abnormal behaviors. Factors such as inappropriate temperatures (either too high or too low), lack of space, and unfavorable environmental conditions can lead to this behavior.
Some snakes, in extremely high temperatures, may become disoriented and show unnatural behaviors. This condition could cause the snake to mistakenly recognize its own body as prey and begin to consume itself.
Confusion caused by hunger:
Sometimes snakes may become disoriented due to extreme hunger and mistakenly identify their own body as prey. This situation is typically observed in snakes that have not eaten for an extended period of time.
Mistaken self-recognition:
Snakes generally use their olfactory and thermal senses to identify their environment and prey. If these senses are disrupted due to illness or specific conditions, the snake may mistakenly identify its own body as prey and begin to eat itself.
Neurological disorders or diseases:
Certain diseases and neurological disorders can lead to abnormal behaviors in snakes. Neural infections or brain diseases can cause the snake to lose control over its actions and harm itself.
