nose rubbing

Last night my male normal was pushing his nose against the walls of his enclosure. He was pushing so hard that it lifted his front part of his body up. I do not understand why he was doing this. He just shed not that long ago so I know it was not because of that. Has anyone else ever experienced this? He is not sick or anything like that. I had to physically remove him and let him out to explore for a bit. After I had him out for a little while I put him back in the enclosure and he went in his hide and all was well. He is eating just fine for me. I just can't think of why he would be doing this. I am so afraid that he is going to rub his nose open and sustain a wound. Any input would be very much appreciated.

Have you just fed him? It could he that he was just trying to realign his jaw, mine has done that a couple of times after feeding. Otherwise it might be that he either missed little bit of side on his nose, or it's also possible that his enclosure is getting a little on the small side.

I haven't fed him yet, I will be doing that tonight. I do believe that you are right about the enclosure being to small at this point. He doesn't have a whole lot of room to stretch out. I use newspaper as my substrate. He has been hiding under the newspaper latley. Perhaps he was just trying to find his way under that. Thank you for your response.

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Originally Posted by ballpythonluvr

I haven't fed him yet, I will be doing that tonight. I do believe that you are right about the enclosure being to small at this point. He doesn't have a whole lot of room to stretch out. I use newspaper as my substrate. He has been hiding under the newspaper latley. Perhaps he was just trying to find his way under that. Thank you for your response.

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I think you found your answer here. My BPs get confused and think they can go through their tubs sometimes. They push really hard on the corners until they decide that the opening is behind them. Then they go hide. I think this is why they are such good escape artists because they push on everything.

Indeed they do try to push on everything. He just seemed like he was trying and wanting to get out last night. He was fine once I took him out for a while and then put him back. Thanks for the input guys!

I think it could also be the temps in the cage?.

Ball pythons are burrowers. It's natural behavior. They will push on everything in their habitat. They're trying to find (or make) new crannies to hide in.