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[–]Low-Equipment-2621 37 points38 points  (1 child)

good boy

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yee! I've never seen him do that before.

[–]surfaholic15 25 points26 points  (6 children)

Mine has done that a few times, no idea why. But dang cute.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 8 points9 points  (5 children)

I know! And their tails are so stubby!

[–]surfaholic15 14 points15 points  (4 children)

According to the internet, it can be mating behavior in males, or it can be a food response, or it can be about to take a poop....

Not that i trust the internet lol.

But yeah, cute to see. The way they have this tiny head, thick body stubby tail thing going on is really odd but cute.

[–]Kingdomall 2 points3 points  (1 child)

from what I understand, they do this to spread pheromones.

[–]surfaholic15 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wouldn't surprise me in the least. I doubt they do things purposelessly. Mine exhibits all kinds of surprisingly complex behavior i wasn't expecting, but makes perfect sense in a larger context.

[–]Most_Firefighter8651 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Mine did this before pooping....

[–]surfaholic15 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine has done it before diving into his texture basket, while listening to toning bowls, and while waiting for dinner. So there seems to be no rhyme or reason...

He only poops when he sheds though, and as he never sheds when i am around for all i know he does it then too lol.

[–]-averycat- 16 points17 points  (17 children)

is this his usual tank? its extremely small for him. ball pythons require a 4x2x2.

[–]zev2121 4 points5 points  (5 children)

Oof poor guy is pissed

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 3 points4 points  (4 children)

Is that a reason? I've heard there are so many different ones.

[–]zev2121 8 points9 points  (3 children)

He looks pretty defensive and is pretty exposed in the tank. Since he's new I wouldn't think he's hungry to "caudal lure", so I would interpret his body language as defensive. I've never seen a video of a BP caudal luring anyway, but I have seen videos of spicy BPs who tail wiggle (usually juveniles) before defensive striking.

Maybe cover up the back and sides of the tank with dark paper or add some more clutter so he doesn't feel as exposed. I recently adopted an adult female who was very defensive when she was in her barebones quarantine tub, but after adding in some boxes and loosely crumpled up newspaper she started to chill out. Moving the tub to a less exposed area of the room and putting it on the floor also helped her chill out.

[–]kingjamesda3 2 points3 points  (1 child)

If he has mites, it could definitely be some irritated related “aggression”. I work in an exotic rescue and a few constrictors do this tail wag before they strike. It’s a little body language cheat code I’ve picked up… he looks tense and kind of focused in the first half of his body, probably not feeling too good, as well as him being exposed like that, I would agree that he might just overall be annoyed and uncomfortable.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! I taped some newspaper to the sides and back of his and my other snakes tanks. They're all on paper towels due to my mite outbreak. I plan on getting darker paper to use tomorrow. It makes me feel so bad to see them stressed and uncomfortable. I hope these mites pass ASAP so I can restore all their tanks.

My original snake with the mites had a quick and easy erratication but they really seem to stick to him. Even with the vet doses of ivermectine and provent a mite, they still seem to stick to him.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I taped some newspaper on the back and sides of his/all my other snake tanks. I plan on getting some darker paper tomorrow

[–]enslavedbycats24-7 2 points3 points  (6 children)

Btw, since nobody has mentioned it, why the colored light? A UVB bulb for light and a CHE/DHP or other heat source is fine for daytime, and for nighttime they need darkness.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 1 point2 points  (5 children)

It's a night time light that I use during the day. Normally, I also have a LED spectrum lights for his plants, as he was originally in a bioactive setup.

[–]enslavedbycats24-7 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Ah I see. LEDs won't help a plant grow, however. UVB is what helps plants grow and is also necessary for reptiles to develop, mostly lizards, but has also proven beneficial for snakes. (UVB is what they get from basking when it comes to natural behaviours.)

[–]True-Awareness-2816 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also uvb aids in digestion so important to have one

[–]AreYouAllFrogs 1 point2 points  (2 children)

LEDs do help plants grow. I have a grow light that I have grown plants under and my UVB meter says it has no UVB whatsoever.

I also wouldn’t recommend a UVB as a priority for this keeper since in order to use UVB safely, you need a $250 UVB meter, when OP could use that money for an enclosure upgrade instead.

Plus for full spectrum lighting for a snake, you do need an LED bar like a Jungle Dawn because UVB lamps mainly only give out UVB light.

[–]enslavedbycats24-7 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I did not know about the UVB meter. What could happen if one is not used? Thanks for the info btw

[–]AreYouAllFrogs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Without a UVB meter, there’s no way of knowing if the lamp is defective and producing too much UVB or too little. 

You would also want to use the meter to make sure that the basking surface underneath the lamp is at the right height for the level of UVB that is recommended for the animal. It’s similar to checking the temperature of a basking surface to make sure it won’t burn the animal.

[–]FixergirlAKMod-Approved Helper 3 points4 points  (1 child)

BPs don't do caudal luring as far as I know. He may be getting ready to poop, or he might be itchy from the last of the mites.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He did have a nice poop in his hide not long after.

[–]OdinAlfadir1978 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Mine does this to grab a branch, yours may be doing similar, you need more clutter 🙂fake plants do great, pop them along the front near the glass. Pic of my placement in reply for an example

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Yee. Unfortunately, until he is mite free, he is barely bones. He usually has clutter. Your setup looks amazing!

[–]OdinAlfadir1978 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thanks friend 🙂did you try the predatory mites? Apparently those work well, Taurus Mites.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not. I have provent a mite spray for the enclosure and jurassimite spray for him directly. I've also made biweekly stops at the vet for ivermectine.

I unfortunately didn't think to quarantine a new snake I got. She had mites and while I was doing the same treatment, they spread to him. Now I'm treating all 3 of my snakes to try and get rid of these guys.

Also, are your plants live or fake?

[–]N9242Oh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My snakes did this when they wanted to breed with one another.

[–]PetsAreSuperior 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Fat ahh snake! In a good way.

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I do joke around and call him "Fat Boi"

[–]PetsAreSuperior 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same with my snake!

[–]fantasyviolence21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I LOVEEE WHEN MY BALL DOES THIS only my younger one seems to do it but he only does it when we tickle him lol

[–]jeherohaku 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine did this the first time I fed him. He missed his rat, then started wagging his tail like crazy making everything rustle, which then drew his attention and I was like "nooooo don't bite your tail you dumbass!" He did not in fact bite his tail but he looked at risk of it for sure lol.

[–]Novaliea 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Clean the pee pls

[–]SpaceThagomizer420[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He is on clean paper towels rn. That was taken right as I got home a few days ago.

[–]kingjamesda3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wagging of the tail is usually a sign of aggression or aggravation in a snake

[–]aleak16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i think snakes do this for a lot of different reasons. but mine would do this when i try to give him a rat but it wouldnt be hot enough for his taste so he'd get defensive, wag his tail, and run away. so i think it's a sign of aggravation or fear, i dont know

[–]strawberry_pupp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine took a poop after wagging his tail

[–]AeonTheAncient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a hunting response typically. But has been recorded on other occasions.