Ball Python Not Sleeping, Trying to Escape

[Bob212]

My ball python is constantly trying to escape. It's worsened quite a bit in the last few days. He's barely sleeping anymore and he's been shoving his nose against the edge of the enclosure so hard it looks like he's going to break himself. He is in an appropriately sized plastic container with 2 hides and some fake leaves. Warm side is 90 and I used paper towel as a substrate. Humidity might be a bit high around 65-70. When I'm cleaning his enclosure I put him in a smaller bin from when he was younger and he totally stops going crazy. Is he stressed? The small one is too small but idk. He went on a hunger strike for about five months a while ago and I was encouraged to just feed him more to counteract. The food stops him for about a day but then he goes back to it. Please help I don't know what else to do!

[Bogertophis]

How old is he? What does he weigh? What are you feeding him & how often? (type of rodent & size or weights if known)

Have you double-checked his enclosure temperatures? How? What's the cool side at?

What size is his enclosure? (L x W x H)

[KMG]

Is the UTH on a tstat?

Is the temp of the UTH being checked with a IR temp gun?

What is the ambient temps of the room/cage.....or both if you know them?

How snug are the hides for the snake?

[Bob212]

I think he's like 1300-1500g. Right now he's getting a small rat once a week ish. I use a temp gun to check the enclosure temps pretty regularly. The cool side is just room temperature so like 70. I have a herpstat for my UTH. I'd say the hides are pretty snug but there is a little empty space vertically. 35in/19in/7in https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xY2...ew?usp=sharing

[KMG]

When did you move to the current tub?

[Bob212]

Like well over a year ago.

[KMG]

Like well over a year ago.

But this is a recent change in behavior?

Has anything changed in the tub? Different hides, substrate, etc?

[Luvyna]

I think he's like 1300-1500g. Right now he's getting a small rat once a week ish. I use a temp gun to check the enclosure temps pretty regularly. The cool side is just room temperature so like 70. I have a herpstat for my UTH. I'd say the hides are pretty snug but there is a little empty space vertically. 35in/19in/7in https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xY2...ew?usp=sharing

70 is too low for the cool side, the minimum temperature anywhere in a BP enclosure should be 75F. You may want to add a (thermostat controlled) heater to the room or try a method of adding a CHE to the tub.
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Also are you measuring the humidity with a digital hygrometer or one of these?



Analog hygrometers (as shown above) can be very inaccurate. My BP stresses out and tries to escape if the humidity is over 85% (this happens if fresh cypress mulch is added without drying it a bit first) when he’s not shedding so humidity issues are also a possibility.

[Bob212]

I tried using a digital hygrometer but it broke so I am using one like in the picture. I can't do a heater full time but he was really cold when I took him out today. Are there any other possibilities because installing those heat lamps is a lot for just 5 degrees.

[Bogertophis]

I tried using a digital hygrometer but it broke so I am using one like in the picture. I can't do a heater full time but he was really cold when I took him out today. Are there any other possibilities because installing those heat lamps is a lot for just 5 degrees.

..."I can't do a heater full time but he was really cold..." What??? Your snake REQUIRES available warmth 24 hours of every day. (And to be clear, he also requires a home that allows him a "cool side" as well, for his safety...at ALL times.) You should not be keeping a snake for a pet if you cannot supply what it needs to stay healthy & alive. Snakes cannot digest their food without supplemental heat, nor even move around when it's too chilly. Likewise, if it's too hot for their needs, you can kill them.

It's absolutely ESSENTIAL for the safety & well-being of this snake that you fix the accommodations immediately, or find him a new & responsible owner who will provide for him properly- and one who can afford his care. If you cannot afford proper heating equipment AND the equipment to control it (thermostats etc) you also won't be able to afford his veterinary bills when he gets sick, which won't be far in the future at the rate you're going. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, it's not meant to be- but please re-consider your ability to properly provide for this animal: he has no choice, only you do.