Female Ball Python Pushing.

[MattEvans]

The last two nights I've seen my girl Luxana pushing In the top corner of her tank. She is in a 36x18x12 exo terra, she has been in it for about a year now. 2 matchings hides, plants, vines and a large water dish. 89f hotspot and 80f ambient temperature all controlled by thermostats. Tank is covered in the back and two sides with foam board but there was a little gap where the board had slipped off and left a little gap at the top. So maybe she was just going for what looked like a opening. She is a little over 1600 grams born and was born June 2017. She was off food all winter but has been pounding food since. Never been bred.

I have pulled her out both nights after hearing and then seeing her pushing up against the corner and when I let her roam, she heads towards the corner of my room I keep my males enclosure. I cant figure out what's changed. Anyone have any insights?

[Bogertophis]

If most of the top is covered except that corner (?) many snakes are simply attracted to the influx of "outside" air...the scents are enticing, & being in a cage
is probably boring by comparison.

To help preclude any damage to my snake's nose, I'd probably cover that corner & instead use several tinier holes (in a different location) for the air-flow.
Snakes learn their way around, & without change, she may just keep pushing until she gets an abscess on her face/nose. Best to prevent if you can, snakes
can be stubborn.

[MattEvans]

Most of the top is covered except where the two light fixtures I use to keep ambient temp are. But it's about 6 inches away from the corner where she's pushing. The exo terras do have the air vents in the front as well.
It just seems weird because she is usually in one of her hides. Just the last two nights she's been fully out and cruising her whole enclosure. Generally she only cruises her tank after she has used one of her hides as a toilet. Just weird because nothing has changed. Do female ball python actively seek out males?

[AbsoluteApril]

Just a thought - are you sure your female is sexed correctly?

[MattEvans]

I can confirm she is a she.

[Godzilla78]

Females can get attracted and seek out nearby males. They smell each other easily.