Ball Python head sticking out of hide.

[noshibby]

So I picked up my first ball python two weeks ago, I left him a few days to allow him to calm down from relocation stress.

I fed him a pinky to start, just to make sure if he ate it he would keep it down, he did no problems.

I then waited 5 days and fed a hopper mouse, again no issues.

I was a bit late on it's last feeding, it was seven days rather than the prescribed five; however, He still is sitting in his hide on the warm side with his head sticking out, last two feedings he just stayed inside until it was digested.

also a note was that he pooped after I fed him the first hopper, then again just before feeding him the latest hopper mouse.

Now I'm just curious onto what the head sticking out of hide behavior meaning, does it mean he's hungry, or just curious what's on the go outside his hide.

Here's a picture of the little guy. (Now I'm just assuming male, may very well be female.) This was taken just before feeding him the very first time. He actually seems less spiny now.

[Fataltix]

Nice looking ball you got there, glad to hear he is eating like a champ .

The head sticking out is pretty normal, mine does it too, I'm guessing curiosity, perhaps as a direct result of sensing the vibrations of you walking around near him .

Cheers,
-Fatal

[dragonboy4578]

Very nice BP. I love the pattern. My Bp's will sit with their heads sitting outside their hides also. I think they just like to see what is going on.

[The Hedgehog]

Mine keeps her head out about 50% of the time. I think she's just curious as to what's going on and want's to keep on guard. My other two snakes also do the same thing.

[kasmiraross]

yeah i think they just like to see whats going on . but mine does it more when im defrosting his mouse cause he can smell it .

[ballpythonluvr]

My snakes are always laying there with their heads sticking out of the hide. They are very curious little creatures. I know when it is time to feed though, because they will be out and roaming around.

[mommanessy247]

same story here. sometimes my girl will just have the very tip of her nose poking out, very cute.

[Bellabob]

Mine does that all the time. They do it in the wild too. It's just to see whats out there, and if any big predetors come by (say me, or you), they shoot back into their hides in order not to be seen.

It's normal behavior, don't worry.