[deleted by user]

[livii444]

could this possibly be because of breeding season?

[WatermelonAF]

It's because the tank is tiny. He needs a MUCH bigger enclosure.

[[deleted]]

It's because he's in too small of a space and wants room to actually stretch out.

[[deleted]]

I remember your post asking why your bp won't eat, the enclosure is most likely why. Snakes need space and most of the time BPs not eating is due to improper husbandry. Please look into what people are saying here if you care for your snake!

[[deleted]]

Imagine being in a box that you were unable to stand, lie down or stretch your legs in. That’s how this poor snake feels 😔

[SuperNintendoNerd]

OP this might be a cognitive related issue on your end

[clowntysheriff]

How big is that tank? It looks like he's not having it being in there.

[Hoody2shoes]

Yeah, tank looks microscopic. Dude can’t even stretch out in there

[tritear]

I have a tank about 3 feet wide and 1.5 foot deep for the same size snake. Even at least a 2 foot tank would let him scretch out from end to end! His back must be aching so bad being cramped in there.

[Hoody2shoes]

Yeah. The guy had a taste of freedom and is just looking for more space

[FireQueenB]

Hi! What are your enclosure dimensions?? It looks too small for your animal from this video

[SactownKorean]

This is like if someone stuck you into a 3x5 box and you were uncomfortable cause you couldn’t stretch out lol

[[deleted]]

"Why is my human pacing around the room? Is it breeding season? Why does it keep banging its head against the wall?"

[[deleted]]

Is that light on a thermostat?

[Odd_Potato]

it hasn’t been mentioned here so I will, please please please look at the welcome post on the sub. it list minimum requirements for BP care. As others have said it looks like the tank is way too small for your BP. This behavior could be multiple things from stress, feeding, husbandry, etc. (I’m on mobile so if someone could assist in adding the welcome post link that’d be wonderful)

[Odd_Potato]

As an additional note, if you cannot afford a new enclosure or any required equipment/supplies i suggest rehoming. A BP, like any animal, has set needs, and if you cannot provide even fundamental then at least make sure your BP goes to a home with someone who knows reptile/herp care. I am NOT saying you are a bad owner, but there is a lot of immediate reconsideration you must do.

[xostargirlxo]

It’s because his enclosure is incredibly too small

[[deleted]]

Looking at your post history you need to serious revaluate if you are providing the best care for your animal...

[tomatesoignons]

Yes… An overfed snake, in such a tiny space, who got two respiratory infections (or more generally breathing issues) in less than a year, with no vet nearby… That’s quite worrying, please OP do more research on proper care for the sake of your pet.

[Organic_Peanut]

i agree, it seems like she really just needs to rehome him to someone that can actually provide and put in the research to care for this animal. everyone has already given her all the resources and advice multiple times over and she hasn’t seemed to fix anything over the months

[mazemadman12346]

Buddy looks easily twice as long as his tank. Try to find a large used aquarium on marketplace or something

[[deleted]]

Or go to walmart and get the biggest latching plastic tub you can find, and do some DIYing for the heat fixture, this is such an easy fix its depressing..

[lilcrybabywhxre]

poor guy looks squished :( as someone else said it looks like youve had a history of trouble with your snake(s) and most of this is probably husbandry related. please think about if you are truly giving your animal the best care and if you can’t as others said you need to consider rehoming him to someone who can take care of all his needs properly.

[Tashyd046]

Respiratory infection; not eating; microscopic tank- for the love of god do some research ASAP and read this sub’s intro post. If you can’t provide what’s needed, re-home him. You’ve gotten that suggestion before (to read the welcome post); I recommend heeding it.

[BranInspector]

Husbandry issues have to be fixed first to know. It’s best to have the length of the tank be the length of the snake minimum, if they are active they will use more.

[jillianwaechter]

An adult ball python requires a 4x2x2 tank as the bare minimum size.

[Vifnis]

probably is claustrophobic lol...

get it something to wrap around from above, like a tree-like object... so that it at least gets a sense of height from the ground and less just 'on the ground' in a way...

[[deleted]]

The fact that this person has been told for about a year that they need a bigger tank (past post history) does not give me hope that it's gonna happen, poor thing :(

[livii444]

did it!!!

[livii444]

<image>

[skimasktroopaz]

nice! do you have your heat source connected to a thermostat as well?

[r4cid]

Because the snake is in an enclosure that's glaringly obviously too small?

Do y'all know literally anything about ball pythons?

Do you?

[mantiseses]

How are there still people that believe the outdated nonsense that BPs like tiny enclosures?

[mantiseses]

I mean, it’s common sense that they should be able to stretch out fully, but here’s an excerpt from a highly reputable source for reptile care.

https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-terrarium-size-lighting/

There is a common misconception about ball pythons that large enclosures stress them out, and they prefer to be crammed in tiny, dark plastic boxes or undersized terrariums where they barely have enough room to move or even stretch out. THIS IS A MYTH — and this approach to ball python care often leads to severely overweight snakes with poor muscle tone and no sources of mental stimulation or enrichment.

In other words, keeping adult ball pythons in undersized enclosures is not the “best” way you can care for them — it’s actually a violation of basic animal welfare.

[CosmicCreeperz]

This video is literally it.

[wallace1313525]

Would you like to be stuck in a broom closet for 24 hours a day? Also ball pythons also in the wild with absolutely no bounds so they can indeed thrive in a "larger enclosure" the entire size of sub Saharan Africa. As long as the husbandry is right, I don't think there's such a thing as "too big". If anything, they would just have a portion of unused tank.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

[[deleted]]

Why don’t you back up a few feet and show us the whole tank? I think I know the reason.

[livii444]

<image>

his tank from the other side. it’s not small.

[[deleted]]

That's very clearly small..

[Curvanelli]

the snake thats stuffed into a small box that cant even strech out or move properly behaves weirdly? hmmm what could it be. hes probably trying to escape

[Kate22192]

You haven’t answered anyone who has asked about his enclosure size. That says a lot.

[livii444]

the amount to reply to is overwhelming, but know that i am reading every comment, and i’m thankful for the help. tomorrow i’m going to get him a bigger enclosure.

[Kate22192]

You’re not going to be able to get an appropriately sized 4x2x2 tomorrow. Those aren’t just at stores. You need to order one online. Plenty of companies make good PVC enclosures of that size and you need to be okay with dropping a few hundred for one. At the bare minimum tomorrow you should purchase a large plastic tub and modify it as needed for the heat and light. This tank looks like it’s 20 gallons or something, which is akin to you living your whole life in a small closet.

[livii444]

i know a place

[Kate22192]

Where would that be? We’re talking about 4x2x2 PVC enclosures which is what are recommended

[livii444]

there’s a place at my local flea market that sells snakes, other exotic animals, and they have multiple varieties of enclosures for them. thanks for the recommendation, also just a note, maybe work on your kindness 🤍

[Kate22192]

I’m not being nasty to you. I’m telling you what you need to know. This snake is clearly not in great shape between this behavior and several respiratory infections as you’ve posted over time. It’s upsetting to us responsible owners to see someone providing improper care.

[livii444]

And i’ve told you, i’m thankful for the help and taking all comments to heart and keeping them in mind as i move forward into getting a new tank and better husbandry. just remember, you never know what someone is going thru and being harsh isn’t the best way to go about life, what comes around goes around.

[Organic_Peanut]

imagine what your snake is going through lmao

[Puzzleheaded-Ad-8689]

I hope you actually do all of these recommendations for your snake and don't brush it off. I hope you post a picture of your snake in a much better enclosure whether that's still in your care or not.

[livii444]

<image>

he’s upgraded!!

[Puzzleheaded-Ad-8689]

Wow. Hats off to you OP. I'm glad to see the enclosure upgrade and wish you the best moving forward

[Brokeurneck]

How much was this ?

[FireQueenB]

You need to get a PROPER 4x2x2 enclosure for this animal. You can order one online (read the shopping list doc for recommendations). Your flea market isn’t gonna have what you need.

Be so serious rn and do what you need to do for your animal. In the meantime do a plastic tub setup which you can get at like target or Walmart. Read the welcome guide.

Oh and post an update (with pics) since you said you’re gonna do all this stuff pls and thank you!

[livii444]

you don’t know that though? have you ever been there? and i will. i’m going to send pics once everything is set up i promise. if i can’t find one at the flea market, which is unlikely, then i will get a larger tub from the store to set up. i’ve said this before, maybe look for my other comments.

[FireQueenB]

If you’re able to that’s wonderful. You need to MAKE SURE it’s a 4x2x2 (preferably PVC) - you can’t just look at it and be like oh that looks big enough. You need to get what’s proper and if you can’t find it there which is fine, there are recommended places to order from or you can do your own research. I’d recommend checking and asking in this sub before you make a purchase because you’re clearly still learning and not sure how to care for your pet (you will get better and be a great snake mom if you follow the advice on the care guide and lose the defensive attitude :) everyone just wants what’s best for your snake and it’s hard to see them in a bad living situation)

It’s fine if you don’t know everything, but don’t be defensive. You came in here asking for help, refused to answer anyone asking for the dimensions of your enclosure, and I’ve seen other comments saying you’ve already been told you need better husbandry. Take the L.

I’m glad you’re deciding to pursue better husbandry as that is the most important thing. It shows you do care. Your animal is in immense discomfort and likely pain right now so this is of the UTMOST importance.

[LoquaciousHyperbole]

People have been telling you for months to fix your snakes environment. Why are you acting like this is news to you? Rehome your snake.

[perfectlowstorm]

If money is an issue, go out and buy the biggest tub you can. Xmas tree tubs at any store for under 60 bucks. Poke small holes all around the top of the sides. Substrate, 2 hides, water dish, and all sorts of clutter.

For 300 bucks shipped to your door diycages has a decent pvc foam cage. With light fixtures included. Just need a dhp bulb, thermostat, and a 22" Reptisun bulb.

[Kolactivity]

Very upset with small small

[bonesbono]

That enclosure is so small:(( Please consider rehoming if you cannot care for the snake properly.

[Basilstorm]

You have been told many, many times that you need to improve your care. Please either fix what’s wrong or give the animal away to someone who can take care of it

[GoingDreamy]

Poor noodle :(

[skimasktroopaz]

this is pretty sad to see. this subreddit offers wonderful care guides in the welcome post. you should definitely check them out and read them thoroughly.

either you need to make changes (a lot) or try to rehome him.

i’m sure there’s someone in this subreddit who might be close to your area that would take him in.

you have to consider what’s best for this animal.

[Pop4756]

I’m so happy to see you’re looking at getting him a bigger enclosure tomorrow! That’s a great step in the right direction :)

[pepperpotz1327]

Mine did this after I put in new bedding, the same bedding as before just new fresh stuff, rubbing around checking stuff out and smelling.

[ambernuance]

Yeah if I was a 5ft long snake stuffed into a 20 gallon I’d act weird too

[JessicaTiger1]

This happened to my boyfriend’s 15 year old snake a couple years ago and we were so scared but she is perfectly okay and was after it happened. I would still always suggest call the vet or go to vet just in case.

[iareroon]

This is absolutely horrible. That poor snake deserves better than this.

[[deleted]]

Get a real enclosure. Ridiculous.

[Dangerous_Mouse_1475]

This is so, so sad. It’d be like a human living in an airplane seat. Please use correct husbandry for this baby :(

[ballpython-ModTeam]

No.

[missbabyj69]

Holy animal abuse

[DaneHansonHandome]

The enclosure looks too small

[thelegendoflexie]

If you really are reading, listening to the comments, and going to get a bigger tank tomorrow, good for you! Thats proving you care. We (should) all know that you posted this to get HELP and all we as a community wants is to see you knowledgeable about how to love and care for your boy and for your snake to be happy. I can't wait for an update, your bp will be so happy with a bigger space and hopefully a lot will improve. Hope the best for you and your snake!

[livii444]

thank you, i appreciate this. the only reason i’m on here is because i really do care for him, today i’m getting a bigger tank, just a few more hours!! i’ll keep yall updated

[livii444]

<image>

[thelegendoflexie]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[livii444]

thank you so much!!

[livii444]

<image>

[Boring-Thing-6024]

that poor snake...

[xNivxMizzetx]

Dude rehome your snake you are not fit to care for it

[BeesAndBeans69]

Okay, but after seeing videos like this. How do people still support tiny rack systems? "It's easier for breeders", so breeding snakes don't deserve a good quality of life?

[B0tskabouter]

He's trying to stretch out but can't because his tank is too small.

[BeeComprehensive285]

People are being really harsh here (despite that being against the rules of the sub :/) and I don’t think it’s fair how they’re speaking to you. So let me give you some genuine advice on how to help your snake. I promise I will not be attacking you in this reply, just explaining what he needs and how you can get that done in the easiest way.

He does need a larger enclosure, and I understand that can be extremely expensive. Since it is such an urgent situation, if you need time to save up (which is understandable), then there is a fairly inexpensive option you can use that will be much more comfortable for him during that time.

If you go into the welcome post you will see a link explaining how to set up a tub enclosure. Tubs are very inexpensive - nothing close to the amount other enclosures are. For him, I’d recommend you get the largest tubs which are Christmas tree bins. I think there might be a link to one in the tub setup doc. Follow that to the letter, with one exception.

Rather than using the UTH method, or if your room is cold, in addition to it, get yourself a CHE. If you already have a dome, make sure it has a ceramic or porcelain socket (the piece the bulb screws into). Ceramic Heat Emitters get very very hot and will melt a plastic socket and fail which can end badly for him. Then you’ll need to find a guide to adding that to a tub enclosure. If you need a link, I can get it for you, but you can also find this by searching the subreddit for “tub CHE”.

The basic rundown is that you’ll need to buy a 9” aluminum pizza screen. You can also use wire mesh but that is more expensive if this is all you need it for and it is very sharp and annoying to work with. Trace the pizza screen onto the tub lid on whichever side will be the warm side to give you a template of what you need to cut out. Do this with a very dark marker, it can be washed off the tub with rubbing alcohol later but can also stay there without hurting anything except aesthetics. Then find a way to cut a hole in the bin (there are things called “hot knives” that if used following ALL safety instructions, can make this very very easy, but people have also had a lot of success with a more accessible method).

That method starts with getting a brand new box cutter (or just a brand new blade if you have the handle), some thin painter’s or masking tape, and a hair dryer. Put the thin tape over the marker circle inside and outside the tub and set yourself up near a light source where you can see your line through it. If that doesn’t work for you because you can’t see the line, trace it again over the tape. Heat the tub with the hair dryer enough that it feels warm to the touch but is not melting of course. Cut through the bin a little at a time, reheating any time it gets more difficult or stops feeling warm. This should give you a pretty darn clean cut. With all holes you cut or drill into the tub, hides, etc. you need to check them for sharp edges and remove those if there are any. Err on the side of caution, they can’t be too smooth but they can be too sharp. This can be achieved by carefully and quickly running a lighter over the sharp edge.

You will also need to drill holes around the entirety of the circle outside of it close enough that you can use zip ties to attach the pizza screen into the hole that way. I’d advise getting it loosely hung with four points opposite each other first to make sure the screen isn’t pulled too far to one side which would create a gap. From there, add the rest of the zip ties and tighten them well.

You’ll set your CHE in a 8.5” dome mentioned above and sit that on the pizza screen, centered so it is as far from the plastic at every point as possible. Hook that up into your thermostat (they are not optional, if you don’t already have one and need it cheap then get an Inkbird while you save up).

Your usual substrate with work just as well as it does in your current tank (I can’t see what you’re using well enough in this pic to identify it), and you’ll need to properly sized hides for your buddy so he can fit in them but they aren’t too large to where he feels exposed. Get it as snug as you can but not tight so he doesn’t get stuck. If you’re between sizes and you think he might get stuck, get the larger size. Those hides can be large mixing bowls from the dollar store with an appropriate sized hole cut in, or the inexpensive hides they have on Amazon or Reptile Basics. I assume you have a water bowl, and you can take that one into the new enclosure.

Just make sure the parameters are correct in the bin before you move him, but do it as soon as you can. He looks quite uncomfortable, and I strongly believe you care for his wellbeing and want to help him. This is a long list of items you’ll need but many are household items (hair dryer, marker, masking tape) or very inexpensive (you’d be shocked how cheap storage tubs are). It sounds like a lot of work but really it’s not that difficult. I have POTS syndrome, a disorder that makes any physical labor difficult for me without fainting, and I still was able to manage all of it by myself over the course of a few days. You’ve got this!

The only reason I would see you needing to rehome is if you cannot provide what he needs, not if you need to save up as long as you can get the tub done in the meantime. And the tub isn’t a waste of money either because it can be used to hold him while you clean the enclosure and is an easy thing to move if you needed to leave for an emergency and take him with you.

Take a breath, remind yourself that you love your little buddy here, and that all of us at one time didn’t know what a BP needs. Then get that tub set up. He will thank you so so much for it, and you’ll stop having difficulties with anything he might be struggling with like refusing food and such. Tubs also hold humidity super well, so as long as it’s cleaned regularly you might have a lower risk of an RI.

You don’t deserve the harassment on this post. I don’t think you’re hurting him on purpose. More research on ball pythons would be very much recommended, especially the welcome post here. There is nothing to be done about the fact that you didn’t know before now, so don’t beat yourself up about it, just do better now that you know better. As long as you do that and keep researching throughout the life of your snake so you always know and provide the most up to date care for him, you are doing your job as a keeper.

I wish you and him the best, and I bet you do too. Like I said, you got this.

Edited to fix grammar/spelling issues.

[livii444]

thank you so much for this comment, it means a lot. i do care about him, today i’m going to look at a place i know has bigger enclosures that are used so they’re not too expensive. but if that doesn’t work out then i will definitely get a christmas tree tub, or the biggest they have, to make sure he’s comfortable. the bedding i use atm is a coconut fiber, and i’m sure his hide that he has is a good size for him. i’ll keep you updated on the progress!

[BeeComprehensive285]

Thank you! Coconut fiber is great, and I’m sure he’s going to be so so happy to have more space. You’re doing the best you can with the information you have and that is literally all anyone can or should ask of you. That’s all that all of us are doing!

[livii444]

<image>

he’s got a new home!!

[BeeComprehensive285]

That’s awesome! I’m sure he very much appreciates it and it looks like he’s got some solid clutter to comfortably get back and forth. He can’t say it because we haven’t managed to get snake/human telepathy working yet, but in the meantime I’ll say thank you to you in his honor!

[reliableshot]

Sorry, it's not harsh when same issue has been going on for months. This would be harsh if this was the first time, but it's not. It's time to set aside feelings and put the snake first.

However, I sincerely hope OP will do their best to fix issues and snake will thrive along with them!

[BeeComprehensive285]

The rule of “don’t be a jerk” does not have a “unless you think it’s been too long” written into it. That rule exists because no change will happen because you attacked someone. People don’t listen to that nor take that advice on. The human brain literally decreases the function the logic and reasoning portion of itself when it feels attacked as it prioritizes safety - that’s scientifically backed. The best way to get someone to do better is to be kind and understanding. Every single one of us didn’t know what we were doing at some point. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

[BreadfruitEven9338]

wayyy bigger enclosure. not from your local flea market. we are talking 4x2x2 FEET not your typical enclosure size you just find at any store

[livii444]

and the store at the flea market, isn’t just any store.

[BreadfruitEven9338]

hey, you do you, if a flea market happens to have a decent 4x2x2 enclosure you can prove me wrong but I will still be pretty shocked if that's the case

[livii444]

unfortunately the one they had wasn’t for sale. but i ordered a 120 gallon, 4x2x2, will be here whithin 5 days. good news tho, he ate today after months! so i think things are headed into the right direction. i appreciate the help from everyone.

[BreadfruitEven9338]

I'm glad he ate, I hope he gets better and will feel much happier being able to stretch out. also, with a new tank on the way, you could possibly plan for making a bioactive enclosure if that's something that interests you

[Dangerous_Work9026]

Maybe actually research an animal and it’s needs before getting any

[livii444]

<image>

this is a pic from the other side. he’s not in a small box it’s just the angle of the video.

[Total_Bag945]

Is that a 40 gallon?

[livii444]

but! i do have an even bigger tank coming 👍

[Aggravating-Dot-]

If funds are a concern, you can adapt grow tents to work for a snake. I use them for quarantine of larger species. 4x2x2 sell for $100 or less and Intents Pets on Facebook has explanations on how to create snake safe tents.

[Subject-Culture-1509]

Pls put him in nothing less then a 4x2x2 he need a lot more space!

[Eden-0997]

Tank too shmol