looking up?

Wolfus_305 · 04-27-11, 10:20 AM

Hi Everybody,

I have a 8-9 year old Ball python named Wolfus. I've had him for 3 years.
I just got home from university and I'm noticing some odd behaviour and would like your input.
Twice now I have walked by his enclosure and from his head to about6-7 inches down his body is "standing" straight up in the air. he's looking up and holding perfectly still. I have seen him do this for about 5 minutes but I always walk in when he's like that and never see him start it. Occassionally he'll sway very slightly frontwards and backwards and flick his tongue and then he'll go back to holding very still. I don't have any pictures unfortunately, but the best way I can describe it is he looks like an "L" shape sitting straight up like that.
Is this normal and I've just never noticed it before or should I be looking for other things to keep an eye on?
Thanks everybody!
Kendra

sickvenom · 04-27-11, 10:23 AM

hate to say it, but could it be star gazing? search you tube for videos. if it is star gazing, then it's pretty serious.

shaunyboy · 04-27-11, 10:25 AM

its NOT star gazing so please don't think it is

i think royal keepers reffer to it as it doing an up periscope (like a submarine)

its in hunting mode having a look around and totally harmless royals do it all the time

cheers shaun

sickvenom · 04-27-11, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

its NOT star gazing so please don't think it is

not sure you are qualified to make such a statement without seeing the specimen. in fact, what she described are the very same symptoms i have seen in person, and the snake did have ibd. even if it's not ibd, don't be so quick to rule it out, especially since you have NEVER SEEN the snake's behavior.

Wolfus_305 · 04-27-11, 10:30 AM

Thank you for the comment! I really appreciate it.
He's refused food since January so the hunting thing sounds pretty accurate. I'm trying to feed him again tonight, wish me luck
(when I got him he didn't eat for 11.5 months, he was driving me crazy)

shaunyboy · 04-27-11, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfus_305

Thank you for the comment! I really appreciate it.
He's refused food since January so the hunting thing sounds pretty accurate. I'm trying to feed him again tonight, wish me luck
(when I got him he didn't eat for 11.5 months, he was driving me crazy)

i''ve seen loads of pictures on forums of them doing it especially when they are outside in the grass it looks very cute when they do it

i'm sure when wayne comes along he will have some pictures of a royal (ball python) doing it

cheers shaun

sickvenom · 04-27-11, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfus_305

Thank you for the comment! I really appreciate it.
He's refused food since January so the hunting thing sounds pretty accurate. I'm trying to feed him again tonight, wish me luck
(when I got him he didn't eat for 11.5 months, he was driving me crazy)

Balls will often go off feed. Monitor him closely as any new odd behavior could be something serious. Also, if you notice that he has flipped on his back and he can't right himself, then that is yet another sign of ibd. Don't dismiss the seriousness of idb just because some random guy claims it's nothing serious. Balls are notorious for idb and it can start with the behavior you described. Not only do I have extensive experience with balls, but I used to work for a vet. Hopefully it is nothing serious as shaunyboy has stated, but keep watching him.

Wolfus_305 · 04-27-11, 01:15 PM

I am taking all comments into consideration.

I also mentioned that I would keep my eyes open for other symptoms, just to be on the safe side. Also, I mentioned that when I tried to roll him over to see his belly, he struggled and didn't like it, which to me seems like he can right himself.

I will keep a close eye on him because he is my baby, right now he's out and about and very active, I will post an update to let you know how the feeding tonight goes.

I'm not super concerned about the not eating because he has done this before (and he's finicky when he does eat) and he is not losing weight and he's still plenty active. He has no mites and no wheezing either and I made sure that all his shed came off.

I appreciate your input, thank you

shaunyboy · 04-27-11, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickvenom

hate to say it, but could it be star gazing? search you tube for videos. if it is star gazing, then it's pretty serious.

there would be a lot more symptoms present if it was star gazing mate like chronic diaharea,regurgatation,unable to right itself if placed on its back,and looking drunk and out of control of its movements

when startgazing a snake sick with ibd generally falls back on its self with quite a thump unable to control its balance

i'm not being cheeky mate but please put a bit of thought into it before you alarm someone suggesting it may be ibd which can wipe out whole collections

as said i in no way wish or mean to offend you

cheers shaun

Wolfus_305 · 04-27-11, 10:32 AM

To me it seems like the hunting mode suggestion because he has not eaten in a while, however I will keep my eyes open for other symptoms. I had him out yesterday and when I was inspecting him (just to make sure he's healthy and shed well) he kept rolling over and not allowing me to see his belly, from what I understand, that's a good thing that he doesn't want his belly in the air?

shaunyboy · 04-27-11, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfus_305

To me it seems like the hunting mode suggestion because he has not eaten in a while, however I will keep my eyes open for other symptoms. I had him out yesterday and when I was inspecting him (just to make sure he's healthy and shed well) he kept rolling over and not allowing me to see his belly, from what I understand, that's a good thing that he doesn't want his belly in the air?

yes thats a good sign pal honestly you have nothing to worry about its normal royal behavoir

cheers shaun