Snake keeps trying to escape. Roams around cage instead of going in his hides.

I've had my ball python for 6 (I think) weeks now. He's been pretty content to just sit in his hide all day for the first month or so, but in the past week I've noticed he just keeps going around his cage looking for a way out.
Temps are good, when I take him out he seems healthy (inquisitive, flicking his tongue), he's been eating every 7 days with no problem. I'm really confused.
His latest trick is he keeps climbing up the wall and getting on top of the thermometer I have in there. Is this normal or maybe signs of something?
Also, I think it's worth mentioning that there's no problem with my husbandry that I know of. I give him clean water every 2-3 days, change his bedding. Humidity is good, etc.
one more thing I can think of that might be an issue is I have a red infrared heat lamp to heat his cage because it gets cold in my room and the heat pad wasn't keeping the cage at a suitable temperature. I read that snakes don't mind red light, but is it worth it to switch to a ceramic bulb and see if that makes a difference?

A couple possibilities.

Are you sure your temp's are correct. What type of thermometer are you using? Is it a digital thermometer that can read both the warm side and cool side? Is there a cool side for him to retreat too? It's possible he is searching for more a comfortable area if it is too warm.

You didn't say how big he is. He may be hungry. Are you feeding appropriately sized rodents and within a correct time frame?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saber402

Are you sure your temp's are correct. It's possible it is searching for more a comfortable area if it is too warm.

---

I just checked again. His hotspot is about 95 degrees and the rest of the tank is 82 degrees.

also the temps have been the same since I got him. I haven't changed anything apart from the lamp. I got the lamp 2 weeks ago though and he didn't seem to mind it at first

I use a digital thermometer. He's just I've 6 weeks old I would imagine, I got him as a baby but they didn't tell me his exact age. As for food I've been feeding him hopper mice.

You bp is just being a snake. My youngest bp was in her hide for about a 3 weeks and now that she got comfortable, she roams all over her cage. She even sleeps in her leaves I stead of her hide.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Misha

You bp is just being a snake. My youngest bp was in her hide for about a 3 weeks when I first got her and now that she got comfortable, she roams all over her cage. She even sleeps in her leaves I stead of her hide.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

---

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

A few more things that would help us out. What size is the enclosure? How many hides? Where are the hides? Could you post a pic of the enclosure?

I think that when the snake becomes more active, it's a sure sign that they're getting hungry and may be seeking food.

I had the same problem before . I was feeding my guy hoppers when that was to small for him. So I got him on adult mice then he stopped doing it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Doggey75

I had the same problem before . I was feeding my guy hoppers when that was to small for him. So I got him on adult mice then he stopped doing it.

---

Well I just weighed him and he's 94g. I read a couple of different feeding guides and they both said >100g snakes get hopper mice. Also he doesn't look big enough to eat a mouse yet. Like I said he's only 2 months old and about 2' long.

I guess I'll try to see if I can get a ~15g mouse.

If after eating a mouse, your snake lingers in the feeding area for a little while afterwards, it might still be hungry. I know my snake kinda stares at me as if saying "Is that all?"

Usually if this happens I tell him I'll heat another one up then go warm up another mouse and he'll be happily waiting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ancybo

Well I just weighed him and he's 94g. I read a couple of different feeding guides and they both said >100g snakes get hopper mice. Also he doesn't look big enough to eat a mouse yet. Like I said he's only 2 months old and about 2' long.

I guess I'll try to see if I can get a ~15g mouse.

---

They can eat more than you think. I think when they're young that is even more true.

I just fed my 99g clown female a 23g mouse a couple of days ago. Took it down no problem, digested it without issue. I know 10% to 15% is the guideline, but they can go bigger than that if needed. I wouldn't do that big all the time, but occasionally it's not a problem.

My two littlest ones, both 100g +/- are doing well on rat pups. Mice just don't do it for any of my BP's. Always left them searching for more.

My two littlest ones, both 100g +/- are doing well on rat pups. Mice just didn't do it for any of my BP's. Always left them searching for more.