Quote Originally Posted by WrongPython View Post
How long has this rubbing been going on, and how constant is it? How long has he been in this new cage? What was his old setup like? What are your actual temps and humidity? Do you happen to have a sliding cage door?

While she's a different species, I have a somewhat similar issue with my Sonoran boa. She's a few inches shy of three fit and lives in a fully enriched and deck-out 4'x2'x2' PVC enclosure. She'll go through phases where she rubs her nose along the gap between the sliding polycarbonate doors and try to push her way out of the enclosure. It appears to be a hunger-based thing with her - she typically starts her pushing when she's feeling hungry and hunting, particularly after I feed another snake and she gets a whiff of their dinner. I'm starting to think that she's realized that her food comes in through the door/from outside of her cage, and she's trying to push her way out to go hunting outside. I've also fed her promptly when I noticed her laying against said door in the past, so it may be a learned begging behavior as well.

Perhaps your royal may be hungry and looking around for food. He may also be curious about the smells coming through the enclosure door and be trying to push his way out to get a sniff. There's also a chance he may be feeling insecure in his new setup, though, and looking to get out. Perhaps you could try putting his old setup inside of his new cage and give him the option to go in between the two. Check out Lori Torrini's YouTube channel - she outlines how to do this.

In any case, I'd recommend picking up a small bottle of Vetericyn Plus Reptile Wound and Skin Care spray to keep on hand to treat nose rubs. An untreated nose rub can develop into a serious problem. I was able to pick up a bottle for around US$14 and it's worth every penny.
Been going on for a few weeks now, happens almost every night, except the nights after I have fed him. Hes been in the cage since Christmas. His old setup was a 20 gal, when I first moved him I kept the setup sort of similar except further apart (bigger cage, more room between hides) and then added a extra hide and more fake plants. The cage door opens downwards, not sliding!

sounds like what Mowgli is doing, trying to push his way out. Could be a learned behavior like you said, I have also fed Mowgli when he was against the door. He knows its the way out of the cage and where food comes from as well.

He could be hungry! He is a very curious snake as well, he could be trying to explore/sniff whats outside the cage

I've never heard of that! I will keep my eye out for it and pick some up when I can! I check on him almost daily and haven't noticed any wounds/changes on his nose so hopefully I can help fix this before anything does happen