BP Weird Behavior

[n1c0l3]

my ball python is healthy he eats consistently he has full sheds and all of the husbandries are spot on. But I've noticed that when he goes on his branch he likes to rub his face on his wooden branch as if he was taking off his shed like the tip of his snout. He doesn't do it all the time just like once or twice everytime he gets on the branch. He's not in shed there's nothing on his face so I don't really know what he is doing. He only tries it like one or twice and then stops he doesn't like actually rub its more like he's trying to peel off shed from his face that isn't even there

[alittleFREE]

Like you, my first guess would be that he's trying to remove some stuck shed. But since you say there is none, I would say it's most likely just a little curiosity, as long as he only does it once or twice and there's no ill-effects on his appearance/health.

However, it could also potentially be a sign of stress, so could you describe your set-up and the snake's history in a little more detail?

[Bogertophis]

Have you checked super-closely for mites? It sounds like his face itches? (assuming there's no remaining 'shed')

Have you checked his nostrils? Sometimes the shed skin gets stuck in there.

[n1c0l3]

He last time i weighed him he was at a good 235g and he's only about a foot and a half long he isn't a year yet i dont think since when i got him the store didnt know his age. he eats very well. He's currently in a 10gal tank for now im upgrading soon. Substrate is eco earth with a bit of repti bark mixed in. Temps are set 90 on the warm side to 75 on the cold end ambient temp being 77-81 he had two hides

[Zincubus]

He last time i weighed him he was at a good 235g and he's only about a foot and a half long he isn't a year yet i dont think since when i got him the store didnt know his age. he eats very well. He's currently in a 10gal tank for now im upgrading soon. Substrate is eco earth with a bit of repti bark mixed in. Temps are set 90 on the warm side to 75 on the cold end ambient temp being 77-81 he had two hides

Sounds ok ...


What type of thermometer are you using ??


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[n1c0l3]

Have you checked super-closely for mites? It sounds like his face itches? (assuming there's no remaining 'shed')

Have you checked his nostrils? Sometimes the shed skin gets stuck in there.

I checked for mites I took a look at under his face all throughout his belly and felt his skin for any bumps no shed in his nostrils and to make sure there were no mites I put him in a tub lined with paper towels and let him move around for a couple minutes to see in anything comes off of him and nothing... I'm hoping he's just weird lol because he doesn't do it often just once and a while its so weird. I'm not too worried about it just wanted to make sure you know?

[n1c0l3]

What type of thermometer are you using ??


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i have a digital one by zoomed to measure humidity and temps on both cold and warm ambient temps but i use a temp gun for more accurate readings

[Zincubus]

Sounds fine , hopefully it has a wired probe though ..

Good to hear you have a digital temp gun though !!


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[Craiga 01453]

Considering you've checked for mites, stuck shed in the nostrils, and husbandry sounds good I would chalk it up to curiosity. I think he's simply being a snake. As long as he doesn't start doing it more, to the point of actual abrasions I wouldn't worry too much. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on it.

[Slicercrush]

If youve already checked for all the things listed above, and are sure none of those bad things are the reasons for the behavior, i wouldnt care too much about it. Paarthurnax seems to like to do that to my bed sheets now and again, I think its just a bit of curiosity.

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