As a ball python owner, you may have noticed some peculiar behaviors like your snake rubbing its face against objects in its enclosure. This rubbing motion is known as “face-rubbing” and is quite common among ball pythons. But what exactly causes this behavior? Here are some of the main reasons a ball python may rub its face and what you can do about it
Shedding
The most common reason for face-rubbing in ball pythons is an upcoming shed. As the old skin starts loosening your python will rub its nose and face against surfaces to help remove the shedding skin. This is especially true right before the snake begins shedding when the skin around the head and face first detaches.
To aid your ball python’s shedding process, maintain a humidity level of 60-80% and provide a humid hide. This will keep the skin from drying out and allow the shed to come off easier. The face-rubbing due to shedding is harmless and should resolve once the full shed is complete.
Irritation or Discomfort
Sometimes, substances like stuck shed, debris, or even mites can cause irritation on a ball python’s face. Your snake will then rub its face to relieve this irritation.
Check for any signs of stuck shed around the eyes, mouth, or nostrils. Provide a humid hide to loosen the stuck shed. Also inspect the enclosure for any debris that may have gotten stuck. And monitor closely for mites which can cause significant irritation. Treatment with appropriate mite spray may be required.
Stress
An uncomfortable environment or improper husbandry can stress ball pythons and cause them to rub against the enclosure. Issues like incorrect temperatures, lack of hides, or too much handling can induce stress.
Ensure the enclosure has a proper temperature gradient (88-92°F warm side, 75-80°F cool side) and adequate hides. Give the snake time to settle into a new home before trying to handle it. Limit handling to short sessions of 15-20 minutes, 1-2 times per week.
Exploration
Ball pythons rely heavily on their sense of smell. A new snake may rub its face on objects in the enclosure to gather chemical cues and become familiar with its new home. This exploratory face-rubbing is perfectly normal behavior.
Provide ample clutter and hides to give your new ball python plenty to explore. As it adjusts to its environment, this behavior should lessen. Continue providing a clean, enriching habitat to encourage natural behaviors.
Respiratory Infection
Face-rubbing is also seen in ball pythons with respiratory infections as they try to expel mucus from the mouth and nostrils. Other symptoms include wheezing, bubbly mucus in the mouth, and loss of appetite.
Respiratory infections require veterinary treatment with antibiotics. Make sure to quarantine the affected snake, keep the enclosure warm (88-92°F) and humid, and take it to a reptile vet promptly. Left untreated, respiratory infections can be fatal.
What are some common problems in pet snakes?
Fig. 1: Juvenile anaconda. Photo courtesy of Dr. Gregory Rich, DVM.Snakes have several unique problems and understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health care problems and concerns.
Anorexia means lack of appetite or refusal to eat. Anorexia is a common complaint among pet snake owners. Some species, like ball pythons, are more prone to it than others. Anorexia can be a normal condition associated with reproduction (the breeding season), egg bearing (a pregnant snake), or shedding. Anorexia can also be a symptom of an underlying environmental problem such as an inappropriate light cycle, cold cage/enclosure temperature, an incorrect diet, inappropriately sized food items, or, most commonly, stress associated with a new or changed environment.
Diseases and other problems that cause anorexia include infectious stomatitis (“mouth rot”), intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal blockage (impaction), intestinal infections, respiratory disease, kidney or liver failure, tumors, or gout. Your veterinarian will need to perform a thorough physical examination and run laboratory tests to determine the cause of your snakes anorexia. Encouraging an anorexic snake to resume eating may be challenging but is most successful when the underlying cause of anorexia can be identified and corrected.
While turtles are often incriminated for spreading Salmonella bacteria to their owners, any reptile, including snakes, can carry these bacteria as part of their normal gastrointestinal bacterial flora. Salmonella can cause severe gastrointestinal disease or even life-threatening septicemia (bacterial invasion of the bloodstream with internal organ involvement). Many animals and people carry these bacteria without showing any clinical signs, yet they shed the bacteria in their feces and serve as a source of infection for others.
The best way to minimize problems with this disease is through proper hygiene. Clean and disinfect the snake’s cage/environment thoroughly every time it becomes soiled. Disinfect the entire cage at least weekly; use cleaning products and rinse well. Most importantly, thoroughly wash and disinfect your hands after handling or feeding your snake or cleaning its cage.
Most snakes that carry Salmonella are not ill, so they usually require no treatment.
Abnormal Swellings and Masses
Snakes commonly develop lumps and bumps on their skin or within their bodies. Various conditions can cause these abnormal swellings and masses. External lumps may be caused by infection (typically referred to as abscesses), tumors, or parasites. Swellings inside the body cavity can be caused by organ enlargement (such as with kidney disease, liver disease or parasitic infections of the stomach); retained eggs in species of snakes that lay eggs; tumors; or even impaction of the intestinal tract by foreign bodies. Sometimes, a lump is simply the food a snake has just eaten.
Your veterinarian may need to run certain tests (X-rays, microscopic analysis of an aspirate of the mass, or blood tests) to determine the cause of a specific swelling. Once the cause of the swelling is known, your veterinarian will determine whether medical or surgical therapy is the most appropriate treatment. Some lumps and bumps are benign and do not pose a life-threatening risk to your snake. Others can be signs of more serious disease. In these cases, the sooner your snake is examined, the better.
What To Do When Your Snake Is Shedding
FAQ
Why is my ball python rubbing his face on the ground?
When she’s finished eating, she usually wipes her face on nearby surfaces– which makes sense to me- she’d like her face clean. It’s similar to when she’s preparing to shed and rubbing on things in her enclosure.
What are the signs of a sick ball python?
Signs of a RI in snakes might include oral or nasal discharge, bubble blowing, sneezing, open mouthed breathing, abnormal body posture, increased respiratory sounds like gurgling or wheezing, crusted nares. Snakes may also show systemic signs like anorexia (not eating or depressed appetite) or lethargy when sick.
How do you know if your ball python is uncomfortable?
Increased Aggression: If your snake becomes more defensive or aggressive than usual, it could be a sign of discomfort or stress. Frequent Stress Signs: Look for signs such as tongue flicking, rapid movements, or erratic behavior. These can indicate that your snake is feeling threatened or anxious.
Why is my snake rubbing its nose?
Nose rub can be caused by too small or too boring of an enclosure, but can also be caused by too high/low heat or humidity, and is quite common in mature males who catch the scent of a female.
Why is my ball python rubbing my face?
There are several reasons why a ball python may exhibit face-rubbing behavior, including getting ready to shed its skin, exploring its environment, or marking its territory. However, if the behavior is excessive or accompanied by other signs of stress, such as hissing or biting, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue.
Why do ball pythons have holes in their face?
These pits are located on either side of their face and are used to detect radiant heat from warm-blooded animals, helping them locate prey in the dark. Ball pythons also have holes in their face known as nostrils, which are used for breathing.
How do you know if a ball python is stressed?
The most obvious sign of stress in ball pythons is head rubbing, especially if your snake is rubbing its head against things when it isn’t shedding. This can be a sign of a mite infestation (see below), but it can also be a sign of stress. If this behavior continues, then your ball python can develop raw spots and sores on its head and/or nose.
What health problems do ball pythons face?
Some of the most common facial health issues they face are mouth rot, respiratory infections, and scale mites. Mouth rot, also known as infectious stomatitis, is a common health problem in ball pythons. This condition is caused by bacteria that infect the mouth and gums. It can lead to inflammation, swelling, and the formation of abscesses.
Why is my ball python biting?
However, if the behavior is excessive or accompanied by other signs of stress, such as hissing or biting, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue. What are considered the most visually appealing morphs of ball pythons? There are many visually appealing morphs of ball pythons, including the albino, pied, and pastel morphs.
Do ball pythons get stressed out?
Ball pythons can get stressed out. Stress in snakes is the result of many easily preventable husbandry issues, such as: Housing multiple snakes together in the same enclosure, which almost all species dislike. Snakes are not social animals.