Little bit of concern

[Kingdomall]

Hello!
So I've had a ball python called Boxas for about a month and a half - 2 months now, and I absolutely adore him. He's been eating about once every 7 days and he hit 1 year old last month.
He's been doing pretty well, I moved him from a 30 gallon tank to a 28 quart bin and he took about a week or two to get adjusted. After not taking food after that time, he's been eating frozen/thawed rats normally.
He gave me one full shed in less than 12 hours and I'm so proud of him.
Lately though, I'm a little bit concerned.
I can't bring up the courage or strength to pry open his mouth, but I've noticed when he yawns or eats or drinks he has a bit of saliva in his mouth. Not much, but I was thinking it could be a respiratory issue. He shows no other signs though, like wheezing or loss of appetite. In fact, I fed him day before yesterday.
Whenever I offer water to him he drinks most of the time, but sometimes a bit of the water drips out of his mouth. I don't think all of it, and the time between the two times was just fine. I never really heard of snakes spitting out water they willingly drank.
I'm thinking it could be his humidity, since I'm keeping him on aspen. I gave him an appropriately sized humidity box though, and ever since I noticed this I've been keeping up with the humidity inside of it more regularly. He used to use his humidity box a lot, but ever since I swapped the forest floor substrate with actual moss he's avoided using it. Maybe he thinks he doesn't need it right now.
I really hope it's not something serious and that I'm just overthinking this.
I would seriously appreciate a response soon, I wanna fix this if it's an issue.
Thanks!

[Kingdomall]

I haven't noticed any replies and it sort of concerns me. I really want answers, I love my boy

[Zincubus]

Well I detest aspen ...

It looks horrendous ( and unnatural ) it seems to suck the colour out of snakes and it gets all over the house ..

I use orchid bark / reptile-bark. .. looks great ( and natural) - it makes the snake colours stand out and you can spray it regularly to keep the humidity up .




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[GoingPostal]

You said he drinks when you offer water, is there a water bowl in the cage constantly? They do often drool a little water after drinking, that's normal.

[Zincubus]

It’s interesting that he drinks when you put water in .. that’s kinda unusual unless they’re real thirsty for whatever reason ... although I have heard about some snakes who will only drink fresh water as soon as it’s put in with them ..


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[Bogertophis]

It’s interesting that he drinks when you put water in .. that’s kinda unusual unless they’re real thirsty for whatever reason ... although I have heard about some snakes who will only drink fresh water as soon as it’s put in with them ..


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I think the aspen shavings are hygroscopic (they suck out the humidity needed by a BP).

OP: we aren't SEEING your snake to tell you anything for sure. You should stay vigilant, if it's an RI, you'll see symptoms that get worse & more obvious.

[Kingdomall]

It’s interesting that he drinks when you put water in .. that’s kinda unusual unless they’re real thirsty for whatever reason ... although I have heard about some snakes who will only drink fresh water as soon as it’s put in with them ..


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Oh I fill a bowl with water when I take him out and offer it to him, I don't always refill his water but I try to keep on top of it.

[Kingdomall]

it's good to hear that it's normal for them to drool some water, I haven't noticed any other problems so I think I'm in the clear. but if I notice any other problems I will come straight here.
I use aspen because it's cheap and I've been told that it's fine as long as they have a humidity box. last time he shed he gave me one full healthy shed in under 12 hours so I think it's fine for him. though I've considered using a forest floor substrate that I have or even mix the two (without over hydrating it). some people have said that aspen molds when it's in contact with water? I personally never noticed any mold and his water dish always spills a little lol

[Zincubus]

Ditch that ghastly aspen stuff


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[Zincubus]

Oh I fill a bowl with water when I take him out and offer it to him, I don't always refill his water but I try to keep on top of it.

So he drinks when you have him out to handle him ?? How very odd !

That kinda sounds like he’s always thirsty maybe even partially dehydrated ?!?

I have never witnessed a snake drinking like that in all my years .

Just clarify ... there is ALWAYS a bowl of reasonably fresh water in his viv - at all times ... isn’t there ?

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