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New Member
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Last Login: 10/26/2009 9:59:55 PM
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Hey there everyone,
So i rescued an abandonned Ball Python about 2 months ago. I've always been a reptile lover but never owned a snake. Its kind of a small dream come true.
So anyways, i've noticed that Dexter (thats his name) constantly digs in the substrate with his head. He always does it around the same area, in the corner of the terrarium next to where his water is.
i ask myself, is this normal behaviour? should i worry about this? He really, really likes to kind of try to force his way into corners with his head.
I should say he's got a normal size terrarium, 12x18x36, so i doubt he needs anymore space. He's got his hiding spot, and temperature seems well regulated in both ends of the terrarium.
So yah, opinion? advice? input?
thanks all,
cheers.
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/26/2009 9:59:55 PM
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| oh and i should also say he is in good health, he recently shed and hasn't refused any meals.
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Starting Member
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/26/2009 9:59:55 PM
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the repti-bark kind.
Anything better to reccomend?
thanks for your reply.
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Starting Member
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New Member
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oh, alright....
One problem tho, if i feed him in another tank, i've heard i can't hold him for 48 hours, so how do i put him back in his regular tank where his hiding spot is? he's gonna wanna go there after feeding...
thanks for the heads up
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Junior Member
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Just keep an eye out for real vigorous pushing.... digging into the corners can sometimes be a sign of insecurity and trying to get into something small and safe. Maybe make sure the hide isn't to big, balls, specifically like to squeeze into impossibly small spaces- They have been found in the wild squished inside termite mounds.
As I said, just keep an eye on it, look out for signs of nose rub....
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/26/2009 9:59:55 PM
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yeah thats what he does....vigourous pushing....but his hiding spot is i think far from too large...in fact when i bought it i thought he wouldn't fit in there....I know Balls like it when the spot they hide in touches their skin for that sense of security, so i made sure it was the case for dexter...
so i dunno..i'll try adding substrate inside his hiding spot to make it even tighter, i'll see what happens...
thanks a bunch for the advices
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Junior Member
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how big is he compared to the cage?
Maybe he does need more space, or deeper substrate?
what are the temps and humidity at and how are you providing them? (light vs heat mat)
what else is in the tank?
also if it's in a glass tank maybe try covering three of the sides.
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Average Member
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Jack B. Nimble (10/22/2009)
oh, alright....
One problem tho, if i feed him in another tank, i've heard i can't hold him for 48 hours, so how do i put him back in his regular tank where his hiding spot is? he's gonna wanna go there after feeding...
thanks for the heads up Just feed him in his cage. Feeding in a separate cage is silly. Once the snake has eaten in a separate container, you need to wait for the feeding response to die down or you may get bit when you try to get him out. If you are worried about him swallowing bark, just put the mouse or rat on a paper plate or paper towels or just watch closely to make sure no bark sticks to the food. If your snake is hydrated and has the proper temperatures than he will be able to pass particle substrate or bark should he accidentally swallow a piece. I used the paper towel method when I used bark and had no problems. If you have to move your snake back to his cage after eating, then do it. Nothing will happen. The reason that it's recommended to not handle your snake after eating is because he may vomit if he is stressed or feels threatened. This does not happen that often in captivity, but I always just leave them alone for 2 days after a meal.
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
0.1 Western Hognose
0.1 Childrens Python
0.1 Everglades Ratsnake
1.0 Bull snake
1.1.2 Crested Geckos "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" - Carl Sagan
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