Ball python trying to escape tub every night

[Luvyna]

I have a 1.5 year old male BP who has recently been trying to escape his tub at night. I have had him for just over a year now. He reaches up along the sides of the tub and starts pushing his nose against the lid. This only happens at night when the lights are out and everything is quiet. If I turn the light on and look at him he freezes and then goes back into hiding. When he was younger I never saw this kind of behaviour, he would often come out to cruise at night or bask under his CHE though.

Quick run through of the husbandry:

32 gallon tub with a UTH underneath the tub (probe sandwiched between tub bottom and UTH) and a CHE installed on top (like this)
Both heating sources controlled by Herpstat 2

1 hide on warm end, 1 on cool end

Ambient warm end - 81F
Ambient cool end - 76F
(measured by 2 separate thermometers on each end)

Warm end surface temperature - 90F (measured by infrared thermometer)

He is fed 1 small rat every ~14 days.

Why has he suddenly started trying to escape? Is there any way I can change the enclosure to make him more comfortable?

[Lord Sorril]

Why has he suddenly started trying to escape?

If your temps are fine then no worries. It is common for a male to try and escape at certain times of the year to find females. My ball pythons are breeding right now, so, no surprise.

[Meghenebk]

Keep an eye out for nose rub damage and catch and treat it early.

If it is actually a 32 gallon, I'm impressed he can stretch enough to reach the top often. Those are often 18 inches high. What are the actual dimensions of yours?

If you meant 32 quarts, or it's a shallow but long tub, move him to a bigger and taller tub or enclosure. Give him things to climb on/around/explore instead of pushing on the lid. It might help distract him from his hormones.

[Luvyna]

Sorry for the late reply, and thank you both for the responses!

If your temps are fine then no worries. It is common for a male to try and escape at certain times of the year to find females. My ball pythons are breeding right now, so, no surprise.

Aww too bad for my BP lol, he doesn't have a chance.

Keep an eye out for nose rub damage and catch and treat it early.

If it is actually a 32 gallon, I'm impressed he can stretch enough to reach the top often. Those are often 18 inches high. What are the actual dimensions of yours?

If you meant 32 quarts, or it's a shallow but long tub, move him to a bigger and taller tub or enclosure. Give him things to climb on/around/explore instead of pushing on the lid. It might help distract him from his hormones.

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye out for nose rub damage! How should I treat nose rub damage if it happens?

I believe the box said 32 gallon when I bought it but I'm not 100% sure. The tub is 34" long, 15" wide, and 12" tall. I'm planning to upgrade my BP to a 4' x 2' x 2' AP cage this year so he'll have more space to roam around soon. He has a fake branch and a real cherry wood stick in his enclosure for enrichment right now and I'll look into adding more stuff for him to climb around.