facial rubbing?

pythonregius · 10-22-05, 10:06 AM

for some reason my ball python has begun to rub his face into the glass of his tank. he does this quite often now and it looks like he is doing it quite hard to for everytime he gets near his eyes, he presses hard enough so they "sink" into his head ever so slightly. but they always return to their "normal" state. i have not owned a ball python for long, i actually came into ownership of this one due to its poor living conditions from its previous owner. i coul't stant to watch it like it was so i took it. i have never really liked snakes but for some reason this ball python is begining to grow on me over the months. and i actually don't mind the husbandry aspect of it either.

reptiles4me · 10-22-05, 11:13 AM

It's hard to say without knowing temps, setup, etc. but I've seen this behavior in snakes with respitory infections. They're wiping the mucus from their mouths. If you see any drool or there is any evidence of drool on the glass, I would take her to the vet. If you're temps are ok and she's eating and seems otherwise healthy, it could be she's about to shed and is trying to start it although mine rub on logs and such, not the glass. Good luck with your new pet. They do have a tendency to grow on ya.

pythonregius · 10-23-05, 05:42 AM

my housing unit is 3'Lx1.5'Wx1.5'H

average temp in hot zone is 90 f but the humidity level never drops below 90%. i'm still being hassled by too high humidity levels

has two hides, one cave on the cool and a cut in half aspen log in the warm (but not over)

couple of fake plants and a huge water dish for soaking in plush wood shavings.

reptiles4me · 10-23-05, 06:42 AM

Respitory infections are usually caused by high humidity mixed with low temps. Maybe at first the temps were a little off and then with the high humidity...? Don't know. Have you seen drool at all? Or is he hissing for no reason? Sometimes with an RI they'll make a wheezing sound that can sound kinda like hissing. As for the high humidity you might want to get rid of the shavings and just use newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpeting. If he's spilling water onto the mulch and you're then refilling the bowl, it'll be easier to spot. What's the cage made of?

pythonregius · 10-23-05, 07:39 AM

i haven't seen any drool or any foam comming from his mouth. i have never heard him hiss at all and there is no weazing. could it possibly be because he might have just been itchy? i know that sounds kinda dumb...

the tank is made of glass. i was thinking on using a different subtrate besides the wood beding i already have. mostly i still use it because i just wanted to get rid of the rest of the bag that was left over from before! lol...

oh and if i didn't mention before i also use an under the tank heat source as well.

and thanx for the advice! you have been a great help!

reptiles4me · 10-23-05, 07:54 PM

Glad I could help.

I guess he could have had an itch. If he's stopped the behavior, then I would just keep an eye on him. I don't have a lot of experience with under the tank heat sources but I do know they can get very hot so be careful if you switch from the mulch to the newspaper or carpet.

pythonregius · 10-24-05, 07:35 AM

will do!! thanx a bunch!

robitza · 10-26-05, 12:29 PM

My 4 year old Ball rubs his head in the tiny gap between the sliding glass doors on the front of his enclosure. There have never been signs of RI and he does it almost every night. We would open the door and let him come out on his own and then shortly after that he would try to wedge his head into the small gap (about 3-4 millimeters wide). I think he is trying to find that "escape route" again.

I use UTH and like it much better than a light. I was using a heating rock but one of my guys got burned so it got tossed out. I find that the light drys the air in the tank out and it makes it harder to keep the humidity right.