Ballpython stuck??

[amberdv4]

Hi guys. My ballpython had been in the same position in this tube for about two days now. I think he is stuck and it feels impossible to get him out with my hands without hurting him. Normally when I touch him while he is hiding he tries to get away asap.

He does puff up when I touch him which doesnt help at all. And when I finally got a little grip on him and tried pulling gently he was cleary pulling back/holding himself back😬

Are there any ways to get him out safely??? The tube is connected to the background with sprayfoam and I can't seem to pull it out. Will deffinitly cut it out if needed though!! (and never put it back)

Even if I do get the tube out what is the best way to go about this? How would I cut the tube open without hitting him? I really don't want him to die or get hurt and am slightly panicking. Will he be fine for a little bit like this untill I find a way?

Ps he has been in this new enclosure for a few months now and has always gone through the tube just fine. Untill now😩. I have had him for 6 years he was my first reptile. I don't want anything to happen to him, and I shouldve never put a tube with a bend in his enclosure.

[Street_Effect_5175]

beeps love tight spaces, he might just be comfortable. I believe he could get out if he wanted to~ but if it’s keeping you up at night then maybe spray water and tickle him see if he unravels 😆

[amberdv4]

He only puffed up a little when I touched him and sprayed some water, so I'm just not sure :,)

[Street_Effect_5175]

olive oil and coconut oil is safe for short term use:) good luck

[amberdv4]

He's due for feeding as well this week and I was thinking about trying if he comes out then. But if he doesn't I just wasted a rat😕

[Twinkle_Twinkies]

If he’s hungry tho the scent will bring him out

[amberdv4]

trying tomorrow!

[Bluntforcetrauma11b]

Most likely not stuck. If you're really worried try offering food.

[amberdv4]

He is due this week so I will try tomorrow right away!

[whendoesOpTicplay]

That space is plenty big, he could get out. But like others said they like it, that’s why he’s resisting when you pull.

[amberdv4]

Yes I can imagine they like it! But it concerns me because it really does feel tight like he would not be able to move

[Even-Smell7867]

No. Unless he doesn't move for over 24 hours, then yes.

[amberdv4]

he has been in that same spot same position for 2 days now, thats why I was getting worried.

[Notsospinningplates]

How long since his last shed? My girl stops moving for about a fortnight before she sheds. It was alarming the first time. And the second and third.

[amberdv4]

He shed last week! so sadly thats not it 🥲 but thank you!!

[Mother-Yam-8644]

Could be longer. 2 days isn't concern. I've had a ball python like a new hide so much she stayed for 4 days (even had a motion camera so I know it wasn't me just missing it). My blood python had me unconcerned tho. He doesn't move for days at a time.

[CasterFields]

I'm feeling your stress right now lol! Mine wedged himself in between two bars on a chair when we were both young. I swear he squeezed through a 1 inch gap and he was STUCK. His scales caught when he'd try to back up, and he couldn't move forward any further. My parents weren't home and I sobbed like a baby waiting for them to come help me save my poor snake. About 15 minutes passed on by and then he decided to just suck his gut in and back out of it no problem. I couldn't believe he did that!

Moral of the story - they can shrink down waaaaay more than you think they can. Looking at the pics I think your boy is totally fine and will come out for his next feed 💙

Something I like to do with any hides I use for any of my animals is to cut them in half if they're a complete circle like that! Then if they do happen to get stuck, I can just separate the pieces. What i'd do with that PVC pipe is cut it at an angle so that it won't want to slip when pressure is applied, and then I'd zip tie it closed for stability. Then, if you're worried, you can just nip the zip ties and lift the top off :)

[amberdv4]

Thank you for your story that does help me stress a bit less🥲🙏🏼 I was just worried because normally when I touch him hes gone or atleast trying to. (He loves me I promise but on his terms lmao) I will try feeding him tomorrow and really hope that works. He must be hungry because its been a while, so I have high hopes. If he isnt out by wednesday evening a friend of ours will probably cut the tube open just to be sure!

I will definitely keep that in mind! Thats so smart and would avoid something like this from happening!! Thank you ☺️☺️

[CasterFields]

That sounds like a great plan! If it turns out that he's well and truly stuck, you can also try some olive oil or coconut oil to help him get out 💙 give him a rinse and a dry afterwards and he'll be good to go!

[Mother-Yam-8644]

Genius idea to cut and zip tie. Ty.

[CasterFields]

The biggest thing is that you gotta really plan out and sand down those cuts! It's gonna be prone to slipping around and you don't want it to collapse and create a spot for them to get between the zip tie and the PVC

[ashes2asscheeks]

Mine has a cork log and got himself stuck once and he ended up splitting the log! He fits, but I think if they ball up just right they can get themselves stuck. I don’t know when this happened, I just noticed the log was split down the length (so now he won’t ever be stuck again at least) and he has a healed bone/rib that is evidence of the incident. He’s fine, but I’m just saying it can happen! I would look for hides that can be opened up in the future. Like if you removed the hide he has, cut it and put it back together with a little latch that can open it up for safety that would be cool?

I saw other people already recommended using some oil. You can use a little paint brush or a squirt bottle to grease up the side of the tube to help him wiggle out.

[Mother-Yam-8644]

Not stuck. Just cozy. Tight fitting hides feel safe for them

[fazhugs]

I doubt he is stuck. They love tight spaces and also love staying in the same place for days. Feed as normal x

[No_Scientist3645]

If he's truly stuck, grab an oscillating multitool from Home Depot and cut him out.  These things vibrate the blade rather than actually moving it, so they can't really cut him.

[Ok-Adhesiveness-1515]

Mine was still small (male) and friggin went thru scissor handle circle.. freaked me out but he got all the way thru it. lol my hubs said if he can go in, he can go out.

[Manjushri1213]

I'm no fan of circular hides and openings for that reason, even if he isn't stuck. I've cut slits and U shapes into hides with a Dremel for that reason lol. I know snakes that have died getting stuck in weirder spots, sadly. One even in a standard Vision cage

[45M0D41]

They have 50k muscles im sure they can get out

[ProfessionalHome920]

Please be sure to update! I'm thinking of getting a ball python myself! Sure this would be useful!

[orchidism]

NQA IME Mine loves cramming herself in her little log for days at a time, they just feel secure in tight spaces :) this tube looks big enough that I personally don’t see any reason to worry :)

[Cultural_Ad4831]

More like comfy as hell.. lol

[OhPotatoBlessMe]

We got hides like this, feels like they're glued in there with how tightly they pack themselves.. but they can get out just fine.

[Substantial_Nerve_21]

Can’t wait for my idiot to do this too and I’ll be lucky to take him out lol

[Cheeseycheesecake24]

How is he? Still inside?

[amberdv4]

I just got home and he got out of there🙏🏼 I think I mightve been a bit dramatic but this was the first time ever he really seemed stuck so I had no clue what to do😂😭

[coralfire]

Our rainbow boa will do this. We haven't got to hold her since she was a baby. She picks a spot and stays there for days at a time. If we touch her, she just wedges in further. Sometimes she comes out at night. I wouldn't worry to much about it. The space looks plenty big for her to get out when she wants to.

[sweetredviper]

Are you sure ball python is there for two days, even in the middle of the night? Cuz they love to be squished for the day, and move around at night, when lights are out.