My python has been attempting to get out of her aquarium for the past three days

My ball python (11 months old) keeps trying to escape her cage.. I have heavy objects on it because she literally pulled the top off with her weight..she has been steadily growing and growing and she fed about a week ago.. I plan to feed her again in a couple days.. So I'm not sure if it's hunger driving her to do this? Or if she just wants to get out? But I'm nervous about letting her out while she's acting so strangely... Any advice? I want to post a pic of her behavior.. Not sure how to do that though

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Originally Posted by Red rum

My ball python (11 months old) keeps trying to escape her cage.. I have heavy objects on it because she literally pulled the top off with her weight..she has been steadily growing and growing and she fed about a week ago.. I plan to feed her again in a couple days.. So I'm not sure if it's hunger driving her to do this? Or if she just wants to get out? But I'm nervous about letting her out while she's acting so strangely... Any advice? I want to post a pic of her behavior.. Not sure how to do that though

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Now keep in mind I'm a newbie but I've heard people say that this kind of behavior usually indicates that something is off with the husbandry. Temp humidity things like that. I've been fighting with the tank is keep my guy in, moving to tubs soon, and I noticed when things are really out of whack he seems stressed. They say a happy ball is a hiding ball[emoji4]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Once they discover a weak spot in the enclosure they will spend the next day or so trying to exploit it ... sometimes even longer ..... I had a spotted python once that I drilled holes in her tub for ventilation, well I drilled them to big, not enough she could get through them but big enough that she could get her nose about half way back to her eyes through the hole. I ended up having to change her tub to one with smaller holes because she would sit there for hours on end trying to force herself through the holes to the point where she started damaging her snout.

My adult BP will do this from time to time, Husbandry unchanged.

I'm not going to say this is normal for all BPs, but mine loves to explore. She is just bored when she is looking for ways to get out. This tells me that it is time to let her out for play time. Afterward, she is much calmer.

In case nobody told you, most snakes are escape artists, so the heavy stuff on the top is mandatory if the top does not lock. :)



Elvira, Normal BP
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fb855acc74.jpg

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

... that I drilled holes in her tub for ventilation,

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try using a sottering gun to melt holes keeps sharp edges off the tub

As for the op if she is getting out is she going anywhere or just getting out?

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Originally Posted by StillBP

try using a sottering gun to melt holes keeps sharp edges off the tub ...

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Oh I have since remedied the issue and do all my holes with a soldering iron ... this is back several years ago when I first started out, was just using it as an example, but you are right melting the holes is the best way to go :gj:

Okay great.. Thank you all for the responses!!!!!!

First off: DEFINITELY get cage locks of some kind! I guarantee you at some point she will escape if you simply put heavy items on the tank. You'd be amazed what they can push through!

Second: it could be that the husbandry is off since your baby is exploring more than usual, or as others have said, it could be the weakness it discovered. Just make sure your temps and humidity are within normal limits and enjoy the show :)

Also, not to be an alarmist, but if the snake is spending a lot of time "star-gazing" it may be a symptom of illness, such as RI or something else. So just keep an eye on it. If she just stares straight up for very long periods of time and is exhibiting other weird symptoms that are uncharacteristic, you may wanna take her to the vet just to bet safe.

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

First off: DEFINITELY get cage locks of some kind! I guarantee you at some point she will escape if you simply put heavy items on the tank. You'd be amazed what they can push through!

Second: it could be that the husbandry is off since your baby is exploring more than usual, or as others have said, it could be the weakness it discovered. Just make sure your temps and humidity are within normal limits and enjoy the show :)

Also, not to be an alarmist, but if the snake is spending a lot of time "star-gazing" it may be a symptom of illness, such as RI or something else. So just keep an eye on it. If she just stares straight up for very long periods of time and is exhibiting other weird symptoms that are uncharacteristic, you may wanna take her to the vet just to bet safe.

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whoa! slow down. u are being an alarmist. OP mentioned nothing about an unusually upright snake. OP just wanted feedback on an active snake that might be active due to something husbandry related.

anyway what's the temps.humidity of the enclosure? what are her hides? how big is your BP and what size prey is she being fed?

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

First off: DEFINITELY get cage locks of some kind! I guarantee you at some point she will escape if you simply put heavy items on the tank. You'd be amazed what they can push through!

Second: it could be that the husbandry is off since your baby is exploring more than usual, or as others have said, it could be the weakness it discovered. Just make sure your temps and humidity are within normal limits and enjoy the show :)

Also, not to be an alarmist, but if the snake is spending a lot of time "star-gazing" it may be a symptom of illness, such as RI or something else. So just keep an eye on it. If she just stares straight up for very long periods of time and is exhibiting other weird symptoms that are uncharacteristic, you may wanna take her to the vet just to bet safe.

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if you think the picture that I posted of Elvira is her stargazing, you are mistaken. In a matter of 15 seconds, she started tapping the screen in a forward position and worked backward until she fell down.

Snakes are escape artists. Piling weight onto the top of her fish tank in the hope that she won't eventually escape is not a good idea. Ditto the "clips" - they work for a while, but under enough pressure they can pop off.

If your snake is 11 months old and she can already push up on the mesh top of the tank then she needs an upgrade before she hurts herself. I would suggest setting up an adult-size tub for her, just give her lots of fake plants and hides to clutter it up.
Both WalMart and Home Depot carry a 100-gal tub that's dimensionally a "40 breeder", with handles on all four sides that hold the top on securely, and it's under $20. Add a heat pad, move over your thermostat from the tank, and call it done.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Snakes are escape artists. Piling weight onto the top of her fish tank in the hope that she won't eventually escape is not a good idea. Ditto the "clips" - they work for a while, but under enough pressure they can pop off.

If your snake is 11 months old and she can already push up on the mesh top of the tank then she needs an upgrade before she hurts herself. I would suggest setting up an adult-size tub for her, just give her lots of fake plants and hides to clutter it up.
Both WalMart and Home Depot carry a 100-gal tub that's dimensionally a "40 breeder", with handles on all four sides that hold the top on securely, and it's under $20. Add a heat pad, move over your thermostat from the tank, and call it done.

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A 100 gallon tub that is dimensionally equivalent to a 40 gallon breeder??
What happened to the other 60 gallons?

(I don't need such a tub for a snake, but I am looking for something for indoor pond-style fish.)

OK, back to the OP, I thought it was breeding season?
My corn has been restless. I've noticed a pattern, however. He wants out mornings and evenings. I open the doors if he starts climbing the walls, and he come right to me.

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Originally Posted by distaff

A 100 gallon tub that is dimensionally equivalent to a 40 gallon breeder??
What happened to the other 60 gallons?

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Sorry, I meant 40-gallon. Long day...