Baby snake head bobbing?

sattva · 09-09-16, 12:52 PM

I'v had Crystal about 48 hours now... I noticed that when she lifts her head she bobs up and down... Is this normal behavior for a 4 week old ball python? This is my first ball, so as far as I know each snake could be different! As long as it's not a sign of a neurological disease, I guess shes ok? what do you guys think?
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macandchz · 09-09-16, 05:27 PM

sattva, how often does she do this? is it continual when she lifts her head? maybe it's just a curiosity thing and she's checking out her new surroundings.

sattva · 09-09-16, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macandchz

sattva, how often does she do this? is it continual when she lifts her head? maybe it's just a curiosity thing and she's checking out her new surroundings.

Ya i'm pretty sure she is checking things out, but about 50% of the time she bobs her head like she's to weak to hold it up... I had her constrict around my finger to see if she had any strength and I think she's ok, but I have never had a baby ball before so I have nothing to compare it to... Has anybody here had this experience with this?

Albert Clark · 09-09-16, 06:30 PM

I would think since he's still very young and still gaining control over all the musculature development is a possibility. What is he doing or not doing when you see this happen the most? Most times hatchlings will have a bit of a wobble as they swallow their food by positioning it. Wobble probably isn't the right term. Swaying or tensioning is more identifying. Sometime during navigating the terrarium or general surroundings there will be a side to side motion of the animals head that is perfectly normal.

sattva · 09-09-16, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

I would think since he's still very young and still gaining control over all the musculature development is a possibility. What is he doing or not doing when you see this happen the most? Most times hatchlings will have a bit of a wobble as they swallow their food by positioning it. Wobble probably isn't the right term. Swaying or tensioning is more identifying. Sometime during navigating the terrarium or general surroundings there will be a side to side motion of the animals head that is perfectly normal.

No she definitely is bobbing, kind of like a lizard or bearded dragon do...