Snake rubbing itself raw

[Thundermonty]

Just moved my BP from a glass viv to a breeder rack. He keeps trying to escape and is rubbing his head on the tub for hours on end. I just looked and his nose is bloody and theres blood smeared near the entrance on the tub.

Anything i can do to stop him? How badly can he harm himself from rubbing?

[Bogertophis]

Personally, I'd move him back to the glass, which was probably bigger? I know they're "convenient" & used by many breeders, but personally I'm not a fan
of racks, & if I was a snake, I'd probably do the same thing...try to get the heck out. Chronic nose or head rubs cause serious infections, don't underestimate.
Poor snake... you can dab a small amount of Neosporin ointment (only the regular kind, never the "pain relief" version) on his wounds.

(are you sure the temps are correct & not too hot? -using a thermostat? -how are you checking temperatures? -is the whole bottom heated or is there a cool
-unheated- side too?)

[Thundermonty]

Humidity and temps are fine. He has a hot side and cold side. He's been fine his whole life. Had BPs since i was 4. First time trying a rack. Apartment doesnt allow him so had to switch to something more discrete than a glass viv.

[Bogertophis]

I assume he has less space now though? Just wanted to rule out other possible issues- and really, if he doesn't stop, letting him destroy his head
really isn't a humane option, is it? (sorry)

[Thundermonty]

He has the same amount of floor space. And really if you consider before he only hid in his hides versus now he has the whole dark tub, its more space. But vertically he has about 1/3 the space. Really i think he was used to looking out and having light come from every direction but now he only has a tiny slit of light. Its where he's been rubbing at.

[Bogertophis]

Then change this set-up so he's not freaking out...FYI, snakes learn their way around in the wild...their survival depends on that & their instincts tell them that
they're in danger when they're in unfamiliar territory. He does not understand where the world he thought he knew disappeared to. New cages & new homes
are very frightening & stressful to snakes.

[Thundermonty]

I'm going to monitor the situation. If the rubbing stops in the next few days i wont worry about it but if he continues i'll have to change something. I didnt want to put him in a tub but i didnt have the best options. Maybe i'll try a clear tub.

[Bogertophis]

Yeah, I would...since you think he's missing the light & "view".

[Dianne]

From my experience, a snake that begins rubbing to escape the enclosure rarely quits. I’d be particularly concerned that there is an edge that has actually caused a cut that is freely bleeding. Cuts or abraisions can become infected, continued rubbing can cause scar tissue and potentially permanent damage to the nose/head. As suggested by Bogertophis, you’ll want to apply some neosporin but be sure it is not the type with pain reliever.

[Bogertophis]

From my experience, a snake that begins rubbing to escape the enclosure rarely quits....

This ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ too.