Is this just him being picky? There are several reasons why this might happen, including stress, incorrect temperature or humidity levels in their enclosure, seasonal changes, shedding, illness, or being picky about their food. You should not handle your ball more than 4 times a week and more than once a day. Give your python 1-2 weeks to adjust to its new environment or after it is done eating and digesting its food. . He also had a couple water bubbles come out of his nostrils and overall is acting very uncoordinated like he cant keep his balance. Is your ball python a spider morph by any chance? Most of a snakes sensory information comes from smell, and they have more than one way to receive scent messages. As tiny as these insects could be, they can be the cause of your snakes activity immediately after eating. Doesnt drink from her water dish (prefers her humid warm hide) and was instructed to soak her in lukewarm water 2-3 times/week for hydration- but the vet didnt see signs of dehydration. They were really active and moving around a lot when I tried putting them back they tried squeezing my arm again. For now Ive covered some sides of his tank so he doesnt have to see me walk by. I will tell you. I found out about a snake specialist and took her in and they said the had fused caps that are now scar tissue. Sources Everything sounds good with your setup and its great to hear that your snake is eating well. I would place some more hides in his enclosure, make sure he has a moist hide, check your temperatures and make sure there are no other pets like cats around to cause him extra stress. If you notice any form of infection in it, try to quickly do something about it before it becomes worse. Hey there. If she is hissing and striking when you try to touch her, it is best to leave her alone for now. Ball Pythons, and many other snakes for that matter, tend to strike during these times. Your ball python will constrict its food as long as it thinks it needs to, usually anywhere from 1-5 minutes. Dont stare at him for 10 minutes trying to gather your nerve; thatll only make him nervous. Though hes been shedding for a few days now too, and its coming off in pieces and Im pretty sure theres a good bit still stuck to him. If your python is not losing weight, I wouldnt panic, they can go for several months without food. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If your pythons enclosure is too hot, you may find that it constantly gravitates towards the cooler side. You shouldnt just allow your ball python to stay alone all the time. If you do not have a refrigerator in your room that produces heat in a way, you will be the only source of heat for your python. Temperature & Humidity Needs and Requirements, shed in multiple pieces or fail to shed completely. She actually shedded yesterday and it was a full shed. If your male is a normal-looking animal, youd have to breed him to a snake that has a co-dominant or incomplete dominant trait to produce morphs in the first generation. My 2 y/o ball python is acting aggressive.. My BP, Lucy, is around 2 years old. Last night she moved the back styrofoam piece and just stayed there.] Then we will discuss optimal temperatures for ball pythons and what happens if the enclosure is either too hot or too cold. Ball pythons are often quite docile. More clutter was added and shes been very active for the last 2 weeks. If your hand smelled like a rodent, that would make the strike even more likely. > Further reading: Ball Python Shedding: All You Need to Know. . Yeah I have 3 going all pythons on one of them down by the privates it looks like soon tags on both sides of the privates. He seems to enjoy being handled, never shows any signs of stress or fear. Our Ball Python has started exhibiting a strange behaviour that I cant find any information on. Today was a nice day in Ga maybe high 80s/low 90s, so I took him out. Handling your ball python immediately after it finishes eating can lead to regurgitation. Accordingly, it is important to avoid the problem entirely. As long as your temperatures are OK and hes eating normally, I wouldnt worry! Are Ball Pythons Aggressive? - Animal Nerdz Theres times hes even fallen asleep in that position. Do you think we should separate them even though they do look for each other? With time and familiarity, ball pythons become less aggressive and nippy. The twitching is usually a sign of irritation but the stargazing can be a sign of something more sinister such as an underlying medical condition affecting the nervous system. Ever. I am wondering what would cause this after growing up together for all these years. Calm ball pythons move about slowly but purposefully. Congratulations on the clutch of eggs, are they viable? He ate a mouse for me on the second day I had him, but ever since, he has stayed in his warm hide, and has not come out in 24 hours now. Many keepers enjoy this aspect of snake husbandry, but others - particularly beginners - often feel intimidated by the entire process. It means he has a good appetite and isnt likely to be feeling stressed. Imagine owning a pet that possesses the uncanny ability to unhinge its jaw and devour prey whole. Either way, its important to be careful when handling your snake to avoid getting bitten. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You can use the snake hook to remove the python from the hiding spot in its cage. Eventually, they'll loosen their grip, let it go, and start eating. If he still refuses to eat, there could be a medical reason why hes not interested in food. Eradicating mites is complicated because the mature females are constantly leaving your snake, moving into the environment and depositing eggs. Many people often ask the question, how long should I wait to handle my ball python after feeding?. On behalf of your snakes, I want to thank you for trying so hard to give them a high quality of life. Turning off the light can also help reduce stress. Temps were 80/72 until yesterday (now 90/80). As long as the habitat is set up properly, your snake is eating well, and hes not exhibiting any of the signs we mention above (nostril discharge, etc. Additionally, I highly suggest taking her to the vet for an examination to ensure that there are no underlying health issues that might be causing her disinterest in food. One possibility is that the humidity levels in his enclosure are too low, which can cause shedding problems. Id advise you to keep them in separate enclosures if possible, or ensure the divider is completely secure if you must use the same tank. Tick infestations, respiratory infections, poor sheds, and infected wounds were common. I got this new house and in side I found a ball Python in a cage left here its a girl I dont have a lot of money and the closest pet store is an hour away she seems kinda slow and off balance she was doing fine for a while she would let me hold her and she was very sweet but now I dont know what happened I thought it was cause I couldnt get food for her but I read that she can go with out food for almost a year but it has only been two months she had a rat but I fed her a chicken about a month ago I dont know what to do she sits in the striking pose and she slowly buffers up the side of the cage and falls on her back I also cant touch her anymore without her hissing at me and going into striking pose please I dont know how long she was there for before I got here he has been through so much already being abandoned Id hate for her to pass I tried finding her a home but everyone is scared of her I thought her when I got here and she seemed fine so sweet so gentle and then like on a dime she changed. Hope this helps. How will a ball python act if he dont have enough room in his cage to streach and move about. Any idea what this could be? My male BP is 9 months old, and hes always been the most chill and docile snake. And then sometimes, snakes just lay in a stretched-out position because, well, they just do. Hey, Joe. So, youll often have to utilize special medications that will kill the next generation of mites, or youll need to go to great lengths to eliminate the mites on your snake and those living in the environment. Excessive heat may cause it to be active, even after feeding, in an attempt to find a comfortable spot. Hello! Kudos to you and your boyfriend! Hey, Heather. I didnt realize how flimsy the middle of the lid was so my male was with my female boa and they were wrapped around each other as if mated. What was probably happening is that your snakes were exploring new spaces, driven by their natural curiosity or perhaps an attractive scent (like residual rodent scent or the smell of the other snake). If your ball python weighs 200g, it can eat an adult mouse of 20-30g and it should be fed with it at least once within 7-10 days. Unusual breathing is a pretty common issue for snakes that are in a shed cycle. She still acts scared when I take her out so I try to leave her alone most of the time. Im still worried and was thinking that being handled too much & the shock of outside may have stressed him out? I think Im familiar with the behavior your describing. Needless to say, these snakes were very difficult to maintain, and theyd make horrible pets for most first-time owners. Im happy to provide any other information or even pictures. These vibrations are registered through the lower jaw of the snake, and in the wild this helps them to sense when predators are approaching. For the most part, all youll have to do is provide a dish full of clean water at all times. Its hard to tell from afar, but it sounds to me like hes hunting, rather than being defensive. Or am I just overly anxious? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. At first I thought it was because of winter and it gets fairly cold where I live. Ive never heard of a snakes eye caps (spectacles) becoming fused. You are correct that you shouldnt try to remove retained eye caps, but Id recommend re-examining your husbandry practices if your snake is experiencing chronic shedding problems. I can only remember caring for one snake out of thousands that had a legitimate eye infection and that was a water snake, not a ball python. Its important not to attempt any home remedies or treatments without proper veterinary guidance. When we take him out hes moving around with my partner but when i get him hes basically motionless. Ball pythons are usually healthy and easy-going animals. Hey, Morgen. After this, you can then go ahead to handle it. Some common signs of stress in ball pythons include hissing, defensive postures, rapid breathing, refusing to eat, hiding, and attempts to escape its enclosure. Like, dangerously hot. Ball pythons are generally shy and don't like handing. Your python may make funny sounds when it is breathing and you may also observe a strange discharge from its nose or mouth when your python has a respiratory disease. Quick question for the experts. Although it is not compulsory. Hey there, Aephus. Dont worry pushing against the screen top is pretty normal. Facts Common Behaviors Handling Illness & Disease > Further Reading: The Complete Ball Python Care Sheet Basic Ball Python Behavior and Body Language You'll notice your ball pythons performing a few common behaviors over time, including those explained below. Thank you for reaching out, Claire. Create a consistent feeding schedule for the ball python. So if its still moving around after eating, it is possible that the meal was not fully satisfying. Gently stroke the ball python's body to calm it down after eating. You must follow this tip so you dont end up killing your python. Wed recommend using his body weight and growth to guide your feeding schedule. To be honest, Ive never seen, felt, or heard of a ball python vibrating. If you made me take a guess, Id suggest that you could be feeling vibrations associated with her breathing. Instead, just hold him in your hands and let him crawl around like he wants to. Males can sometimes become more active and climb around the enclosure during mating season as they are looking for a mate, these changes in behaviour can be caused by changes in temperature. These are certainly not all of the possible diseases and conditions that may threaten your pet, but they deserve the most attention. The reason why your python may be laying down all the time is that it is trying to provide warmth for itself in your home. Its really impossible to be sure based off the info provided. The previous owner said to feed him 1 medium non white rat every other week which he has taken like a champ in the past. How do I take care of this. Any snake can suffer from a respiratory infection, but snakes that hail from tropical areas including ball pythons are often especially susceptible to them. Overall, it sounds like you are doing an awesome job, and I love that youre including so many hides. Terrarium Quest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also important to feel the wound carefully to ensure no teeth were left in your skin. Handling a ball python immediately after it has eaten can cause stress and increase the risk of being bitten. As for the heat mat issue, Its possible that your ball python is just more comfortable on the cool side hide, or that he likes the hide on that side better. Snakes certainly need habitats that allow them to stretch out, explore, thermoregulate and obtain exercise, but this is a long-term concern. I recently took my BP to the vet for a check up. Good luck! Dont worry about habitat size over the short term. Shawna. Ball pythons have very bad eyesight and rely a lot on their senses of smell and heat perception. HELP! My Ball Python is acting oddly aggressive Almost every single one was suffering from more than one health problem. Youll notice your ball pythons performing a few common behaviors over time, including those explained below. If the weight of your python increases to 350g, it should be fed with a weaned rat that weighs 31-45g at least once in 10-14 days. Proper sheds should come off in one long piece. Hey man, my ball python is 6 months old normal feeding schedule but for the past two days it has been acting way different Also, note that the shedding process makes snakes a bit nervous, so it is possible that she is already getting ready to do so. . Limit handling sessions to 15-20 minutes to prevent unnecessary stress on the snake. We remove him from his viv to manage some basic husbandry, 10 minutes at most because hes in a bioactive set up, so its just to move things about and remove anything the clean up crew missed. Ive never had a snake or reptile before, so I often find myself getting stressed that Im not taking proper care of him. In this article we will look at why your snake may be active after eating if it is still hungry, and discuss some guidelines on how much and how often to feed your snake. Hi Ben, Do not force any scales off especially those located around the eyes or face. Its hard to tell exactly whats going on here, but it just sounds like your snake was exhibiting normal hunting behaviors. Re: HELP! After a ball python has finished a meal, it is important to monitor its behavior for signs of stress. Sometimes she will even burrow into a blanket in my lap or crawl into my desk drawers while Im doing work and just stay there. Thats perfectly normal, Ashley! Make sure to never pull or tug on the stuck pieces as this could hurt your snake. When it comes to handling ball pythons, there are a few key tips to keep in mind: You can go to any vet whos willing to treat your snake, but youll likely have much better luck by going to one that specializes in reptiles. If so, try upping the quantity a bit at the next feed and see if it helps. Try to feed him a little more, perhaps 2 food items at a time rather than one or feed more regularly (one a week max). Ball pythons get rid of their skin all at once to accommodate new growth, whereas the skin comes off other mammals in tiny pieces. Its hard to tell from afar, but it sounds like hes just exhibiting the typical issues that are common in spider ball pythons. Hey Ben, and it can in turn make them defensive and more aggressive; Avoid handling your Ball Python in large crowds, areas with loud noise or heavy vibrations (think music . If youre worried about it, Id recommend contacting the breeder ASAP. It was very strange and was wondering what this behavior could mean, as I googled it and couldnt find much about it. Your snake is a male thats thinking about lady pythons. Shes not losing weight, her last shed was a bit difficult so I ended up soaking her but thats also been months. You should not handle your ball more than 4 times a week and more than once a day. So sorry to hear about the troubles with your snake (and I apologize for not responding sooner). Snakes learn about their surroundings by tasting the air around them. Now that you are aware that you should only handle your python only once a day. If you were handling them roughly, or if they felt like they were in danger, they may have bitten you as a defense mechanism or your snake was just being playful. Hes also dived out of his vivarium one time while feeding. -if he pokes his head out during the day time hes extremely chill/not coiled in defense towards me. Underfeeding your ball python may be the reason why it is still active even after eating. I checked back in a few hours later and found him using the mouse as a pillow. Please help! 4. Pls let me know thanks!! Ball pythons, like all other snakes, shed their skin periodically. Always seek professional help when your ball python starts to depict signs of any disease that you dont understand. This means that a simple chest cold can quickly prove fatal in snakes. She is active at night and seems happy when I hold her (I only do this occasionally to get a better look at her) but when she is in her tank and I look at her to check in her she seems scared because she breathes hard. Ive noticed that he keeps trying to get to the top of his enclosure and bumps against the top at nighttime, could that be a sign that hes stressed, or is that normal behavior? I would definitely recommend taking her into the vet. Ball pythons who are not eating may have a health problem that needs to be addressed. Aside from the leg thing, which I'll guess is possibly smelling the other pets in the shop and assuming you're food. You can try by touching the mid section of his body when you enter the enclosure to let him know youre there. Hello Ben! My Ball has a 1/2 x 1-1/2 tumor or cyst on its side about mid-way on its lrft side. one thing I havent been able to find any info on is this. However, my concern is when it comes to his adventures, his full extention to reach the top of his enclosure(he likes to fit himself inbetween the small indention where the screen fits onto the tank- I say hes testing the strength for a breakout! Should I take her to the vet? The Correct Way To Handle A Ball Python - More Reptiles