Weird behavior

[m00noodle]

Ever since I increased the humidity in my bp’s enclosure he’s been acting different. I don’t have the exact number from before I re-wetted the substrate, but the current humidity is 88%. Since then, he’s been waking up a few hours earlier then what’s typical for him and he’s just been doing weird things? I found him with his head resting over the edge of the water dish last week and he didn’t react to me waving or tapping on the glass, he only darted back into his hide when I opened the door to the tank. I chalked up any weird behavior to him being due to eat soon, but feeding him hadn’t made any difference. Tonight he keeps sticking his head out and touching the tip of his nose against the top of his hide at a perpendicular angle. It’s completely possible that I’m overreacting, but I’m leaving for a trip in a few days and I don’t want to leave him alone if something could be wrong.

[m00noodle]

It’s occurred to me since starting this thread that he’s due for a shed and he’s probably just rubbing his nose to get it started. I’ll leave the thread up in case it could be something else though.

[Lord Sorril]

but the current humidity is 88%.

88% is good for a humid hide--I would definitely not recommend it for an entire ball python enclosure-->you greatly increase the *chance* of a Respiratory Infection.

[dakski]

88% is good for a humid hide--I would definitely not recommend it for an entire ball python enclosure-->you greatly increase the *chance* of a Respiratory Infection.

Agreed. It also raises the chances of other issues as high humidity and high temps are a breeding ground for things like bacteria.

My BP stays at 50-55% humidity (average) throughout the year. Probably 50%+ in winter and closer to 60% in the summer. I raise the humidity to about 65-70% when she is shed. She has a great shed at those humidity levels.

80%+ is overkill for a shed and asking for problems.

Let us know if your BP does indeed shed. That would make sense if things seem a little off.

[m00noodle]

Okay so he has not shed. I think I know why he’s been active though. He’s a very clean snake and he doesn’t like to be in hides that have been pooped in. Turns out I missed a spot in his favorite hide and he’s been checking to see if I’d cleaned it. Ironically me trying to give him some space worked against the situation. I’m curious to see if his behavior returns to normal now that I’ve cleaned up.

[Homebody]

Okay so he has not shed. I think I know why he’s been active though. He’s a very clean snake and he doesn’t like to be in hides that have been pooped in. Turns out I missed a spot in his favorite hide and he’s been checking to see if I’d cleaned it. Ironically me trying to give him some space worked against the situation. I’m curious to see if his behavior returns to normal now that I’ve cleaned up.

How's the humidity? Lower, I hope.

[m00noodle]

Higher than I’d like it to be, but it’s dropping and I checked him for RI symptoms last night.

[dakski]

Good on getting the humidity down and try to get it below 60%, certainly when he is not in shed.

You might be correct about the waste being an issue. BP's do not want predators to know where they are and waste can be a give away that there is a BP around. He might not have felt safe knowing that there was waste in the tank.

Having said that, I would think other things are more likely. You have said temps are good, but I would really work on the humidity. Once husbandry conditions are where they should be you will be better able to evaluate his behavior.

Another question is what is his size/weight and age and what are you feeding and how often? He might be looking for food. Not saying that is the issue, but worth asking.