Ball Python Whistling

Scheduling a vet appointment in the morning and the BP in question is already in quarantine. Just looking for opinions/ideas. I noticed one of our "new" snakes (a rescue with a broken back that had just been moved out of quarantine 2 weeks ago) let out a very loud whistle when I picked him up to put him back in his cage. He is exhibiting no other symptoms of an RI. I took notice a) because of the whistle but b) because Sunday during feed there was a prolonged whistling, very low like air releasing, that I had assumed at the time to be from the rat. Hot spot is 90 ambient 80s - will dip to upper 70s on particularly cold nights. Humidity stays around 50 - 60. Bit on the low side. The noise got worse and more frequent as he was handled. Been watching him for an hour or so. Aside from one episode of loud whistling after he was placed in quarantine tank there have been no other noises. No foam/bubbles no head rubbing or elevating his head. Behaving pretty normally. Thoughts - RI or stress induced noise or???

Just a thought but is he a black pastel morph? They sometimes whistle.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Just a thought but is he a black pastel morph? They sometimes whistle.

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looks to just be a normal. I don't have a history on him. Previous owners were not overly informative. He's a bit muted color wise but I'm pretty confident there's no black pastel floating in there.(I wish)
He has been sitting in his water bowl more than normal. Also last shed and poop were normal.

Maybe he is just talented.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Maybe he is just talented.

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Man I hope so!

Any females around him?

He just wants to breed ;)

Snakes often make noises - especially when they are being held or messed with - that emanate from the glottis and the nares. These are usually the expulsion of breath due to stress.

Whistling from the glottis is normal and is a by-product of the shape of the glottis X the rush of air forced through it.

My BP whistles sometimes for no apparent reason, and after rushing her to my breeders to get checked out several times, I learned to check her mouth for signs of an RI. But after the 5th or 6th time he assured me that she was healthy and that maybe I just have a particularly squeaky snake. :P

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Originally Posted by coreydelong

Any females around him?

He just wants to breed ;)

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ha! Yes, yes there are!

We have a female that whistles when you hold her. His concerned me because this is the first time I've heard it since we have had him. I've been keeping snakes for two years and so far haven't had to deal with an RI. Erring on the side of caution and whatnot. I try to keep up good husbandry practices. I'm going to keep an eye on him tonight. Thanks for reassuring me guys! I feel much better now. :-)