Balled Ball

I've had my girl since November and have never, until today, seen her ball. Then all of a sudden tonight, she wrapped up in a ball and has been in the ball for about 2 hours.

I took her out of her enclosure and she stayed balled up. I put her back in and she is still balled up & hasn't attempted to even go into her hide. She is normally active and social so I am not certain what's wrong.

Again, I've had her since she was only a few weeks old and this is the first time I've ever seen her "scared".

Last feed was 4 days ago. I was feeding her every two weeks since November until about a month ago when I switched her to once a week.

Hoping someone may be able to provide some insight into her behavior tonight.

Up to 27 views and not one reply.....share the knowledge people!

Well,

What happened just before she started to ball up? Were you playing loud music or handling her or anything?


dr del

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Well,

What happened just before she started to ball up? Were you playing loud music or handling her or anything?


dr del

---

I was watching The Voice in my office, which is where her enclosure is, but it wasn't any louder than I've been in here before.

Sometimes new or unfamiliar scents can cause them to react differently. For example, I always wash my hands before handling my snakes, and I try to always use the same brand and scent hand soap. But, if for some reason, I have to use a different soap, my snakes will tend to be a little more skittish and cautious for a few days when being handled, until they get used to the new scent. I don't know if this is the case with your snake, but it's a possibility.

A ball python balling up anytime is completely normal, hence the name :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Carlene16

A ball python balling up anytime is completely normal, hence the name :)

---

no it's not normal, balling up means somethin's stressing them. none of my BALL pythons ball up for no reason.

Well ALL of mine do at random moments almost on a daily basis.

At any one given time, as many as 4 or 5 of my 16 are balled up in various degrees. Some are loosely, some tightly, a few in their water bowls.

It could be something as simple as being startled by a shadow that made yours ball up, but a word of advise, the more you fool with it, the longer it will ball. Unless it refuses to unball for a few days, I wouldn't stress over it.

Gale

She ended up staying in a ball for a few hours and eventually unraveled, been acting normal ever since.