Worried about ball python

I just stuck my hand in my ball pythons tank to pick her up and she made this whistling noise everytime that I touched her. I've never heard a snake hiss, but it didn't sound like what I would have thought was a hiss. It sounded like a faint whistling and I can't help but worry. Was she hissing at me and if she wasn't, is whistling normal? I should also add that she's the sweetest thing in the world and has never done anything out of fear other than ball up. Thanks for your help!

A hiss is a clean hissing air sound. Whistling isn't a normal sound. It is probably one of two things.. either she's whistling prior to a shed (the skin gets loose in there and whistles) or she has a respiratory infection. Is she in shed right now? If not, I would recommend a trip to the vet to diagnose it if it is a RI, and get antibiotics.

What are the temperatures in your enclosure? Low temps are a great way to get a RI. Warm side should be 92-94 degrees, cool side 82-84.

The ambients have been like 3-4 degrees low and the hot side is fine. But we looked at her just now and she has some sort of crust over one of her nostrils. How do we clean that? Like what could we use to clean it out?

Crust? Sounds like dried mucous. Take her to the vet asap.

To clean it you can gently wipe it with a damp paper towel.. but I wouldn't stress her out too much. I'd leave it personally..

Well, using a paper towel probably won't clean it right. It's inside of her nostril. I'll try to get her into the vet asap. Thanks for the advice!

Let us know how it goes. It sounds like you've got a good plan of action. :D

Excellent decision! When in doubt, your herp vet is your best friend! Please let us know how things went at the vet and how your snake is doing.


~~Jo~~

Well, we were actually able to clean it out that night. We checked on her yesterday and it's completely gone. She is doing good! Thanks for the advice and help.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Crust? Sounds like dried mucous. Take her to the vet asap.

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you mean a booger, would you go to the vet cuz u got a booger up your nose? ya know the vet would really stress her out.

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Originally Posted by stevey_t123

you mean a booger, would you go to the vet cuz u got a booger up your nose? ya know the vet would really stress her out.

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So you obviously don't have a clue about reptile physiology, veterinary medicine, or proper care of captive animals ... point taken. ;)

Dried mucus (or "boogers" as you so maturely and eloquently phrased it) is indicative of a respiratory infection in captive ball pythons ... these animals don't posses the natural ability to expel mucus and phlegm from their lungs like people do so as it builds up internally it seeps out of their nostrils and mouth and dries. When a respiratory infection gets to that point in a ball python, the only way to permanently cure it is with anti-biotics that can only be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Comparing the way ailments in people are treated to how they are treated in reptiles is not logical. Warm blooded mammals (ie. people) generate their own body heat and are able to stimulate their immune system to fight disease ... if the disease is mild enough they may be able to combat it without medication. Reptiles on the other hand do not generate their own body heat and have an immune system that is easily compromised by low temperatures and the general stresses of living in captivity ... medication is a critical component of managing their illnesses.

Of course there is stress associated with a trip to the vet for a reptile, but the animal is already stressed from the illness itself ... Personally, for my snakes, I'd pick stress that is treatable over DEAD any day. :D

-adam