Would a ball python injure itself squeezing?

[ogdentrece]

Would a ball python possibly injure itself by trying to squeeze in a narrow gap too narrow for itself? Not a hole where it cant get through and turn back to get out of but like a gap between two panes of glass, where he still can turn around and get out of.

My young ball LOVES to squeeze itself into any small gap it can find, and I have this new enclosure I made. Sliding glass doors for the entire front (top to bottom), and a short pane right behind it to hold the substrate in. But he keeps trying to squeeze himself into the gap between the outer door and this piece. And he really flattens himself out quite alot it looks pretty freaky! I'm really afraid he'll injure himself doing this. But then again, they cant be that dumb to do so, can they?

Should I fill up this gap? I could silicon on some acrylic or plexiglass pieces to fill it up and remove the gap, but that means my door cant slide anymore. I'd have to remove them every time.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Go to Lowes and get some foam weather stripping and run along the edge of the inside piece of sliding glass. It doesnt look the greatest but it will work until he gets a little bigger and then you can just peel it back off.

[JLC]

Sticky sided foam won't work. The snake would work it off one way or another, as they do with just about any tape substance. The snake could get tangled in it an injured if the adhesive is strong enough. And if its a weak adhesive, then the snake is quite sure to get it off the glass anyhow.

If he can turn around and get out again, then I don't think it's "too small". You're just getting an unusual view of just how limber these guys are, and just how much they LOVE small, tight spaces to hide in.

[ballpythonluvr]

My nomral male squeezes into very tight spaces. He once escaped and squeezed himself into the base board heating in my bathroom. I was amazed that he could fit into such a small space. These snakes are amazing and will find tight spaces like that. Judy is absolutley right, you do not want to put any kind of sticky or adhesive tape in that enclosure because your snake will get stuck to it.

[dr del]

Hi,

You might however be able to get a peice of hardboard or something that is thick enough to stop him getting in but thin enough for the doors still to slide if I understand your setup. Which could just sit in the gap.

A picture would help.

Am I right in thinking one side of the glass doors has a bigger gap than the other?

And, if so, can he fit into the smaller gap?


dr del

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

Personally I've always had good luck with the foam but I see your point.

[ogdentrece]

Hi,

You might however be able to get a peice of hardboard or something that is thick enough to stop him getting in but thin enough for the doors still to slide if I understand your setup. Which could just sit in the gap.

A picture would help.

Am I right in thinking one side of the glass doors has a bigger gap than the other?

And, if so, can he fit into the smaller gap?


dr del

Yes, one side has a larger gap than the other, since the sliding doors are staggered. One slides inside the other. The smaller one is too small for him to even fit half his head in, he'll never try or be able to. but the bigger gap.. He squeezes in there every night. I'm thinking of getting either another piece of glass or acrylic to slot into that gap, just in case. I probably wouldn't make it permanent and would just let it sit there wedged between the door and the substrate wall. I'll try to get a picture up as soon as I can, thanks.

[dr del]

Hi,

That sounds as though it will work fine then. You just have to remember to lift it back out before trying to slide the second glass door.

Since he won't be able to get to it you can use the small, self adhesive, rubber patches for fixing leaks in bike tyres to help you get a better grip on it to lift it out if you like.

Or drill a hole in it if you choose perspex.

Either way remember to make sure the edges aren't rough or sharp as he is liable to try quite hard to get into his usual hiding spot.


dr del