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  1. #1
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    ball python raising head like cobra

    My ball python Maxwell has done this several times, I have only had him for a couple of weeks now and hes done it about 5 or 6 times, he will go into this posture where he goes up into a position like a cobra would, i havent been able to get a picture of him doing it so i drew one on MS paint.. sorry my artwork sucks but it shows exactly what he does.. i will attach it here. anyways he will just sit there like that with his neck stretched out going completely upwards and then his head facing directly forward, just like the pic i drew shows. he sits like that for minutes on end. i wasnt thinking anything of it and then i read this article a few minutes ago about IBD and it said something about sitting for lengths of time with their head in weird positions called "stargazing" and im FREAKING out now because i would absolutely die if my little Maxwell has IBD. is this something i should worry about? or is this just something ball pythons will do?? this is my first snake so i really dont know. please let me know your opinion. thanks.


  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to snakegirl4life For This Useful Post:

    Marzipan (06-01-2017),rebelrachel13 (05-20-2012),Vonnie (07-05-2016)

  3. #2
    BPnet Veteran clipclopclip's Avatar
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    LOL Love your picture. Looks like he's periscoping, meaning he's just quietly checking out his surroundings. I wouldn't worry about it, that's a perfectly normal (and cute) way for ball pythons to peek around and scope out danger
    ~Rachel C.
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    Marzipan (06-01-2017),snakegirl4life (03-08-2009),Toronto Python Gurus (03-09-2009)

  5. #3
    BPnet Veteran Fallguy's Avatar
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Cute snake. Many of us on here have had this happen. No worries.
    1.1 CRT Boa -Anery 100% Het Snow . , Salmon 66% P. Het Snow
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    snakegirl4life (03-08-2009)

  7. #4
    BPnet Veteran stratus_020202's Avatar
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    We have fuzzy capet in the room. The first time i put the baby on it that's exactly what he did. Trying to find that perfect hole to craw into. Then headed for a shoe! lol.

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    snakegirl4life (03-08-2009)

  9. #5
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Quote Originally Posted by clipclopclip View Post
    LOL Love your picture. Looks like he's periscoping, meaning he's just quietly checking out his surroundings. I wouldn't worry about it, that's a perfectly normal (and cute) way for ball pythons to peek around and scope out danger
    thank you so much, completely took my worry/stress level from 100% down to about 20. lol. i did have quite a bit of fun drawing the pic though.. lol. yeah i think it is just sooooo cute when he does it, and then i had to read that darn arcticle. ok well thanks so much again.

  10. #6
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Quote Originally Posted by Fallguy View Post
    Cute snake. Many of us on here have had this happen. No worries.
    thanks a bunch sooo glad its normal.

  11. #7
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Quote Originally Posted by stratus_020202 View Post
    We have fuzzy capet in the room. The first time i put the baby on it that's exactly what he did. Trying to find that perfect hole to craw into. Then headed for a shoe! lol.
    lol thats cute i havent put Maxwell on the carpet yet, i will have to try that
    thanks!!

  12. #8
    BPnet Veteran clipclopclip's Avatar
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Quote Originally Posted by snakegirl4life View Post
    thank you so much, completely took my worry/stress level from 100% down to about 20. lol. i did have quite a bit of fun drawing the pic though.. lol. yeah i think it is just sooooo cute when he does it, and then i had to read that darn arcticle. ok well thanks so much again.
    You don't need to stress, my pythons do that all of the time when they are moved to a new place or something in their immediate environment changes. I think it's so cute like the periscope on a submarine

    Not a great picture, but here is Meerah periscoping when she was little:

    ~Rachel C.
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  13. #9
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Quote Originally Posted by clipclopclip View Post
    You don't need to stress, my pythons do that all of the time when they are moved to a new place or something in their immediate environment changes. I think it's so cute like the periscope on a submarine

    Not a great picture, but here is Meerah periscoping when she was little:

    aww cute, she looks just like maxwell. haha, well i guess most look the same, but still. how big is Meerah now?

  14. #10
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    Re: ball python raising head like cobra

    Totaly normal to periscope...the star gazing is when their nose points to the sky.

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    snakegirl4life (03-08-2009)

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