bw56

We have just finished sterilizing and readjusting the 90g terrarium
for our ball python. While watching tv this evening, I heard a sound
like a child going HMM. We have no children, so I went over to our
ball python's house and he was rubbing himself on the oven-sterilized
wood. Occasionally, he would vocalize in the manner which I
described. Is this normal?

He is two years old, 980 grams. At a recent visit to the vet, we were
told he had some minor infection and he will be treated orally with
Baytril for 21 days beginning Monday.

Any ideas?

chad trapp

Two ways to look at this. First is that the infection you are speaking
of is a respiratory infection, thus the wheezing.

The second is that the snake was huffing and hissing, which balls will
do when upset and agitated.

Chad

bw56

Chad, it was very quiet wheezing that made us take our ball python to
the vet, so yes I believe there is a respiratory problem.

The sound I heard last night was quite a bit louder than wheezing as I
heard it across the room while the tv was on. He was not upset at
anything, just rubbing his face on some of the smooth driftwood, then
vocalizing, but not huffing or hissing. He did it about 4-5 times,
then went about exploring his home. Actually have never seen him huff
or hiss and hope I never do. He's such a little sweetheart

chad trapp

I have had my ball get to huffing just once. I upset her while she was
feeding and she started tracking me through the glass. That is a sound
that will get your attention.

Chad

bw56

Do you feed your ball in it's home or in a separate container? We
have a special feeding container, a clear plastic tub lined with a
towel with plexiglas lid, both with numerous holes. Put in the two
mice, add the python, let it chow down. When he is finished eating,
we take him out and put back in his house. We'll be careful NOT to
disturb him in the future while feeding after your experience.

Still no idea about the vocalizing?

chad trapp

As she isn't bitey and doesn't care to eat in the feeding tub, I feed
her in her own tank. Normally she is in her hide and comes out part
way to feed. What happened that time was I had not fed her in a while
(planned) and she was very hungry. She went a little over the top
when she smelled the rat.

Chad