Ball python defensive coil or dying?

Can anybody please help me on this forum I am very concerned. Just got a normal ball python (I'd say around a year old) back from the breeders I normally go to (very reputable), since getting him home and getting him out of the box and into his small viv, he is just coiled up in the spot i placed him down on, his head is pillowed on it's body on it's side, like a human laying down sideways. He seems as though he is breathing quite deeply and heavily. Is this just stress related? He hasn't moved and there are quite a few hidie holes for him to take his pick at, it's just concerning me that he hasn't moved for a good while now. Can they react like this due to stress? Will he eventually come around? I am really hoping someone will just reply saying 'don't worry, they do this when they are in a defensive position, once he knows it's a safe environment he will come around just fine'...I am dreading anything worse... I would love any help you guys could offer. Thank you

Sorry I have not had chance to introduce myself, my name is Mark, I am 27 years old from Yorkshire, UK.
I currently have a five year old male normal corn snake called Daniel Quinn, and an 18 month old strawberry amel female corn snake called Lola.
Really wanting to get into the world of ball pythons...just hope I aren't setting off on a bad note :(
Really praying he comes around ok.... thanks again, will keep checking back to see if there are any replies from you lot who probably know more about ball pythons than me!!

Mark, there is a reason they are called BALL pythons :)

They ball up when scared or nervous, as a defense mechanism.

What you are describing sounds, to me, absolutely typical. Heavy breathing is a sign of stress, but your BP has just been introduced to a new situation. S/he will come around.

I too have both a corn and a ball python, and let me tell you... they are QUITE different when it comes to defensiveness! My corn rattles and used to (thank goodness not anymore) strike. I have never, ever, had my ball python strike. When nervous he backs away or (used to also) ball up. He doesn't do this anymore, unless he is introduced to new people.

You can post a photo if you are really worried, but I am quite confident that this is completely "normal" behaviour.

Best of luck :)

I cannot tell you how much you have just put my mind at rest. I did take a pic earlier just incase I needed to post it on here, but I am going to keep my faith and heed your advice and put it down to normal behaviour. It wasn't exactly a long walk home with him (about a ten minute walk), but it has been a very blustery day where I am from, so he's been in a little box in the wind for a short while, there's no wonder he is feeling scared etc.
I have always been a bit of a 'worry wart'...especially when it comes to any of my animals, but sometimes I think it's best to worry than not be be bothered at all (I know a few of those type of 'owners').

Anyway, thanks again for your positive response. If interested I will keep you updated and get a pic of him on here later on when he has come around.
Thank you once again.

No problem! Have you checked out the care sheet sticky on the main page as well? Very helpful :)

Ball pythons and corns vary quite a bit in husbandry care.

All the best!

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Originally Posted by mukus

Can anybody please help me on this forum I am very concerned. Just got a normal ball python (I'd say around a year old) back from the breeders I normally go to (very reputable), since getting him home and getting him out of the box and into his small viv, he is just coiled up in the spot i placed him down on, his head is pillowed on it's body on it's side, like a human laying down sideways. He seems as though he is breathing quite deeply and heavily. Is this just stress related? He hasn't moved and there are quite a few hidie holes for him to take his pick at, it's just concerning me that he hasn't moved for a good while now. Can they react like this due to stress? Will he eventually come around? I am really hoping someone will just reply saying 'don't worry, they do this when they are in a defensive position, once he knows it's a safe environment he will come around just fine'...I am dreading anything worse... I would love any help you guys could offer. Thank you

Sorry I have not had chance to introduce myself, my name is Mark, I am 27 years old from Yorkshire, UK.
I currently have a five year old male normal corn snake called Daniel Quinn, and an 18 month old strawberry amel female corn snake called Lola.
Really wanting to get into the world of ball pythons...just hope I aren't setting off on a bad note :(
Really praying he comes around ok.... thanks again, will keep checking back to see if there are any replies from you lot who probably know more about ball pythons than me!!

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Does it look like this:

http://exoticsbynature.com/ksf/9-12-06cryptic10.jpg

He does look very similar, only difference is, his head is almost upside-down. It's like when a human has their head laid sideways on a pillow, well he is using his body as the pillow and is resting his head sideways, almost upside down (which is what was worrying me most...)
I will try get a pis on here for you...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...26-h568/BP.jpg

This pic was taken directly above him. Although, amazing news (for me anyway lol), I went in to check him again and he has uncoiled himself and was just having a little drink of water. So so pleased he is calm and well.
Thank you for your replies and calming me down haha.

But anyway, would the pic above alarmed any of you lot if you saw your ball in this position? Or is this a fairly common trait?

Thanks again :)

No alarm from me, it's just thinking that maybe if it doesn't move the giant scary thing will go away and not eat me. Utterly normal.

Ball Pythons ball up all the time. What you see there is mostly normal. The odd part is the fact that it is holding its head sideways since I've never seen mine do so. But your snake looks perfectly fine.

By the way, gorgeous color on your BP. Good luck with it..