New Ball Python trying to escape new tank??

So I'm noticing my snake is rubbing up against the glass and pacing back and forth across the glass and looking out and also climbing up the wall to get to the screen on top. He only does this at night when he comes out to explore and he doesnt do it everynight, some nights he explores in a usual manner (he stays in his hides all day) I just got him about 2 weeks ago so he is quite new. Im wondering if maybe this is him trying to escape? Ive read that that is a bad sign and hes trying to find somewhere better to go. If this is the case I honestly dont know what to do. I know his tank is a bit big for him (40 gallons) considering hes 6 months old. I do have the tank quite cluttered because of this and people on this forum have told me its cluttered well. So maybe he just needs more time to settle in? I know that he must not be too stressed about his tank because hes already taken two meals. So I dont know what to do because I dont have anywhere else to house him. I could try and clutter the tank some more but thats about all I could do. Or should I just let him warm up to the tank? Also I have the back wall of the tank covered and plan on covering the two side walls so maybe that'll help? Please give me advice!

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If the tank is cluttered and he is eating, leave him be. This is pretty normal behavior. [emoji171]

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Originally Posted by Kerimac

If the tank is cluttered and he is eating, leave him be. This is pretty normal behavior. [emoji171]

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Even if he keeps trying to get out constantly? Im watching him currently and he keeps doing it repeatedly all of a sudden. Ive never seen him do this. Like hes done it before a couple times but now all of a sudden he wont stop trying. He just keeps climbing the wall, reaching the top, sliding down, and repeating. And now hes just pacing the glass again! Sorry Im just worried as this is my first snake and want to give him the best life possible!

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Ball pythons will try to escape or follow the edges of the enclosure and push up to try and escape. However if it is frequent, and happens almost daily it could be a sign of stress.

I’m thinking your snake might also be stressed because you mentioned he was pacing around the edges as well. Usually these signs mean that either his enclosure doesn’t feel safe enough, or he needs more room. You can try and make the opening of your hides smaller, and make it so it’s faced away from the front. You could also incorporate a few more hides that again face away from the front. You could also rearrange the decor so that it will make him feel more safe inside.

I remember looking at the photo of your enclosure, and although it is displayed very nicely, and there were lots of plant coverage, the front portion was completely open. If you spaced out the decor and plants to go everywhere this might make it better? I’m not sure if this would work but I guess it could be worth a shot.

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Originally Posted by Faith.luu

Ball pythons will try to escape or follow the edges of the enclosure and push up to try and escape. However if it is frequent, and happens almost daily it could be a sign of stress.

I’m thinking your snake might also be stressed because you mentioned he was pacing around the edges as well. Usually these signs mean that either his enclosure doesn’t feel safe enough, or he needs more room. You can try and make the opening of your hides smaller, and make it so it’s faced away from the front. You could also incorporate a few more hides that again face away from the front. You could also rearrange the decor so that it will make him feel more safe inside.

I remember looking at the photo of your enclosure, and although it is displayed very nicely, and there were lots of plant coverage, the front portion was completely open. If you spaced out the decor and plants to go everywhere this might make it better? I’m not sure if this would work but I guess it could be worth a shot.

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Do you think covering the 2 sides of the tank would help at all? I planned on doing that anyways. But I dont really have any decor to put at the front of the tank I dont believe.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

Do you think covering the 2 sides of the tank would help at all? I planned on doing that anyways. But I dont really have any decor to put at the front of the tank I dont believe.

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Covering the two sides could definitely help! When did he last eat? Could he be hungry?

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

Do you think covering the 2 sides of the tank would help at all? I planned on doing that anyways. But I dont really have any decor to put at the front of the tank I dont believe.

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It’ll definitely help.

You could either rearrange the decor, or just wait to get some new ones.


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Originally Posted by christineho

Covering the two sides could definitely help! When did he last eat? Could he be hungry?

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His feeding day is tomorrow, he ate last saturday, I feed him a medium mouse every 6 days. So possibly hes hungry?

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Originally Posted by Faith.luu

It’ll definitely help.

You could either rearrange the decor, or just wait to get some new ones.


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I dont really know how Id rearrange it but Ill be sure to cover the sides

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Yes. I ordered thick black out tint from Amazon and put on 3 sides of my 40 gallon breeder tank. It is not like auto tint. It is very thick. Also, make sure the Temps and humidity are correct. Use a temp gun. I also installed plexiglass on the screen lid and cut an opening for a ceramic heating element above to improve the ambient Temps in my tank. I hope he calms down soon! [emoji171]

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Originally Posted by Kerimac

Yes. I ordered thick black out tint from Amazon and put on 3 sides of my 40 gallon breeder tank. It is not like auto tint. It is very thick.

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This is a really good method. If you’re looking for something cheaper you could tape black/dark poster paper to the exterior sides as well. Or even use paint.

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Originally Posted by Faith.luu

This is a really good method. If you’re looking for something cheaper you could tape black/dark poster paper to the exterior sides as well. Or even use paint.

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I plan on using dark paper, I tried acrylic paint and when I would start to do the second layer no matter how dry the first one was the first layer would start to peel up and I ended up having to wipe it all off.

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Have you regulated the temps for the CHE yet??

I noticed you ignored my reply when I mentioned it in your last thread.

Unregulated heat sources can literally kill your animal, not something to be ignored....

Unregulated heat sources could also be making your snake uncomfortable and unable to find a spot that offers both security and a temp the snake likes. Hence the roaming and searching for an escape.

The other possibility is your snake is hungry. How often are you feeding? What size prey? When did he eat last??

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Have you regulated the temps for the CHE yet??

I noticed you ignored my reply when I mentioned it in your last thread.

Unregulated heat sources can literally kill your animal, not something to be ignored....

Unregulated heat sources could also be making your snake uncomfortable and unable to find a spot that offers both security and a temp the snake likes. Hence the roaming and searching for an escape.

The other possibility is your snake is hungry. How often are you feeding? What size prey? When did he eat last??

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I should be able to order another thermostat for the CHE after this weekend hopefully. I feed him every 6 days and I feed him medium mice. He was fed last Saturday so he'll be getting fed today.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

I should be able to order another thermostat for the CHE after this weekend hopefully. I feed him every 6 days and I feed him medium mice. He was fed last Saturday so he'll be getting fed today.

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Ok cool :gj:
I'm just trying to look out for your new pet. Another friendly piece of advice: make sure to save up some money asap. Emergencies happen, accidents happen, illness happens and equipment fails. Usually with no warning. So it's EXTREMELY important to have money stashed away for a vet appointment or to replace equipment if it fails. That's something new pet owners often overlook, which honestly, is unfortunately irresponsible.

Your snake may also be hungry. That's why it's important to have a scale so you can be sure you're feeding appropriately sized meals.

This is a great example of why we prepare before bringing the animal home. Your snake is dealing with stress that could and should have been avoided.

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Ok cool :gj:
I'm just trying to look out for your new pet. Another friendly piece of advice: make sure to save up some money asap. Emergencies happen, accidents happen, illness happens and equipment fails. Usually with no warning. So it's EXTREMELY important to have money stashed away for a vet appointment or to replace equipment if it fails. That's something new pet owners often overlook, which honestly, is unfortunately irresponsible.

Your snake may also be hungry. That's why it's important to have a scale so you can be sure you're feeding appropriately sized meals.

This is a great example of why we prepare before bringing the animal home. Your snake is dealing with stress that could and should have been avoided.

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I tried my best.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

I tried my best.

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I understand that, and I'm not criticizing, just trying to help you and others moving forward.

BP's have one three goals, at any given time:
1. Hide
2. Find food
3. Find mate

If your snake is trying to escape, it's becase it feels it can't meet one of those goals. The first one is your only primary concern. Do you have enough hides/clutter, decent humidity, and the right temps? Your snake is fine.

Out in the wild, food is rare. During the night, they need to find food, because there is no telling when they are going to eat again. If there is no food to be smelled in the tank, they will try to escape. It's all about food, and regular meals is not something to be found in the wild. Hence snakes (and humans) will overeat and get fat if given continual access to food. That's just not the environment they evolved for. Having the munchies while healthy and full happens to us all. I wouldn't worry about it.

It's seems like a young snake that's still acclimating to it's new environment. I wouldn't be surprised that it's looking to escape. The snake could also be getting hungry. So far everything seems pretty normal to me.

When it comes to regulating ambient temps with a CHE, I prefer a dimmer over a thermostat. I only use thermostats for my RHPs and UTHs.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

Even if he keeps trying to get out constantly? Im watching him currently and he keeps doing it repeatedly all of a sudden. Ive never seen him do this. Like hes done it before a couple times but now all of a sudden he wont stop trying. He just keeps climbing the wall, reaching the top, sliding down, and repeating. And now hes just pacing the glass again! Sorry Im just worried as this is my first snake and want to give him the best life possible!

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I haven’t read through the thread but you’ve described perfectly normal behaviour of a snake in new viv/rub ..





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Sounds quite normal to me, my snake did this quite often the first few weeks, and still does it occasionally.

You mentioned that you're using a non-regulated CHE
Out of curiosity, what are your temps? hotspot, warmside ambient, and cool side ambient?


I honestly believe that ball pythons prefer cooler temps than most keepers provide, or than the industry standard from a few years ago.
If you look at posts from a few years ago, many keepers advise 90+ degree temps, but in all honesty, I think ball pythons prefer hot-spot temps of around 88 degrees

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Originally Posted by PartySnake13

Sounds quite normal to me, my snake did this quite often the first few weeks, and still does it occasionally.

You mentioned that you're using a non-regulated CHE
Out of curiosity, what are your temps? hotspot, warmside ambient, and cool side ambient?


I honestly believe that ball pythons prefer cooler temps than most keepers provide, or than the industry standard from a few years ago.
If you look at posts from a few years ago, many keepers advise 90+ degree temps, but in all honesty, I think ball pythons prefer hot-spot temps of around 88degrees

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That’s a good point .. I’d be interested in knowing if the warm side floor temps are too high .. same applies to the cool side floor surface temps





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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Have you regulated the temps for the CHE yet??

I noticed you ignored my reply when I mentioned it in your last thread.

Unregulated heat sources can literally kill your animal, not something to be ignored....

Unregulated heat sources could also be making your snake uncomfortable and unable to find a spot that offers both security and a temp the snake likes. Hence the roaming and searching for an escape.

The other possibility is your snake is hungry. How often are you feeding? What size prey? When did he eat last??

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^^ THIS^^

If it’s just too warm in there the snake will simply be trying to escape the oppressive heat . .. as we would .


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

^^ THIS^^

If it’s just too warm in there the snake will simply be trying to escape the oppressive heat . .. as we would .


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UTH surface temp is 91 degrees. Cool side surface temp is 80 degrees. Ambient air temp through out whole tank is 80 degrees. CHE is on a clamp lamp and not placed directly on screen until I can get a thermostat for it.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

UTH surface temp is 91 degrees. Cool side surface temp is 80 degrees. Ambient air temp through out whole tank is 80 degrees. CHE is on a clamp lamp and not placed directly on screen until I can get a thermostat for it.


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Looks good .. are you using a digital temp gun or a thermometer with a wired probe ?


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Looks good .. are you using a digital temp gun or a thermometer with a wired probe ?


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Both

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

Both

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In that case .. I’d say it’s just the normal way of getting familiar with the new surroundings ( and look for an escape route )

:)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

In that case .. I’d say it’s just the normal way of getting familiar with the new surroundings ( and look for an escape route )

:)


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I took him out to handle him yesterday and his eyes have blued over so I know hes about to shed, idk if that would have anything to do with the attempted escape though because again my temps and humidity are right and Ive been misting to raise the humidity even higher while he sheds (I put him back as soon as I noticed his eyes)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BallPythonBabe

I took him out to handle him yesterday and his eyes have blued over so I know hes about to shed, idk if that would have anything to do with the attempted escape though because again my temps and humidity are right and Ive been misting to raise the humidity even higher while he sheds (I put him back as soon as I noticed his eyes)

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Still think it was just getting used to the new environment and looking for any gaps or holes .

I’d start spraying daily now and as soon as the eyes clear and it’s colour returns then start spraying two or three times daily .




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Ive had him for about a month now and at night he still scales up the side of the tank to the top until he slides back down and repeats and he also paces the glass at front of tank. Hes never refused a meal so I dont think hes stressed. He now occasionally comes out during the day to switch hides when he never used to come out during the day. Aside from the scaling the side of the tank he explores at night as well. Should I be worried? Could he still be settling in or is this normal behavior? Again temps and humidity are all right. Ik his tank is big for him (hes 7 months in a 40 gallon but I have it very cluttered) but he seems to be doing good in it. It also worries me that once he gets to the top of the tank and he cant go any further he usually doesnt slither down he falls down.

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