No clue

We have a baby ball python that is been acting strange. We have noticed that he yawns, not due to feeding, and also he has been rubbing his nose on surfaces in him cage roughly. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Heather, Tyrrell, Jordan

BP Maxwell

New additions Columbian boa - Abby
Nic boa - Belle

possible shedding?

Sounds like he's trying to shed and if the shed hasn't started to come off he might be having trouble with it. Whats the humidity in the cage?

Could be an RI. Excessive yawning and rubbing the face on the enclosure could be symptoms. Does he leave behind any mucous or slime when he rubs? Any presence of mucous or bubbles in or around his mouth?

No shedding. No lightening of the skin or cloudy eyes.

Am also suspecting a RI but there is no mucous or anything around the mouth. No wheezing or popping or other wierd sounds when breathing.

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Originally Posted by tjh n' snakes

No shedding. No lightening of the skin or cloudy eyes.

Am also suspecting a RI but there is no mucous or anything around the mouth. No wheezing or popping or other wierd sounds when breathing.

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After they go blue, they do clear and look "normal" right before they shed - so if you missed the blue phase, it could be shed.

The excessive yawning concerns me - I'd check surfaces that he's running his face against and see if there's any "slime" left behind - you can often feel it on glass surfaces, especially once it's dried.

If he's excessively yawning he could be too hot. What are your temps?

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Originally Posted by V1L3 DiaL3cT

If he's excessively yawning he could be too hot. What are your temps?

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Really? I've never heard that! Not saying it's wrong, because I'm learning something new every day! :D

Yeah, I just found out about this recently too. It's similar to why crocs will lay in the hot sun with their mouths open. It regulates body temperature a little bit :) Fun little fact :)

It is 88 on the warm side and 82 on the cool side. Could be too hot cause we were running 78 on the cool side and he seemed to favor that side.

No, they certainly don't lay out in the open with their mouths open to cool down.. That would be reptiles such as alligators/crocs and Beardeds. Snakes do no such thing. If a snake has its mouth open for a period of time(longer than a normal yawn), it is trying to breathe.

Becky you must have misread what I wrote. I'm not saying snakes lay with their mouths open I said it's similar to the purpose of what crocs do. But excessive yawning can indicate they are too hot and are trying to cool themselves down. Not saying it's the case. But it happens.

I'd say it may be RI, up your temps and humidity, and make an appointment with a vet.