Why is my snake sitting with his head up?

When the cervical musculature of a snake contracts, the head and neck are raised almost straight up, as if the affected snake is gazing at the stars. Hence the term stargazing. This seemingly innocent behavior is actually a sign of a potentially serious underlying medical problem.
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How do I know if my snakes dying?

The most common signs that may signify a dying snake include:
  1. Breathing problems.
  2. Abnormal posture.
  3. Scale-related issues.
  4. Sudden weight loss.
  5. Lack of appetite.
  6. Unusual discharge.
  7. Weakness.
  8. Dehydration.
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How do you treat stargazing in snakes?

Treatment. Appropriate treatment for stargazing syndrome depends on its underlying cause. If a bacterial infection is to blame, a veterinarian will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Medications such as corticosteroids can also decrease swelling an inflammation and help under certain circumstances.
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What does it mean when a pet snake stands up?

If your ball python is standing up, it may be exploring something new. Periscoping is often seen when you allow your pet to explore a different room or put them outside for some fresh air. Another reason is that you don't have enough hiding place in their enclosure.
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What are signs of stress in a snake?

14 Signs That Show That Your Snake Is Stressed
  • Loss Of Appetite.
  • Weight Loss.
  • Rubbing Their Nose Against Objects In Their Tank.
  • Hissing.
  • Striking.
  • Attempting To Escape. Make Sure To Check The Following To Keep Your Snake From Escaping:
  • Tail Rattling And Vibration.
  • Regurgitation.
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5 MISTAKES Ball Python Owners Make



How do I destress my snake?

How to Calm Down a Snake
  1. Move Slowly. Quick movements can frighten snakes and send them into fight or flight mode. ...
  2. Good Behavior. Snakes typically react to handling with fear or, if they are calm and relaxed, curiosity. ...
  3. Guide, Don't Restrain. ...
  4. Cutting Your Losses. ...
  5. Provide a Comforting Home.
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How do you know if a snake is uncomfortable?

Striking

Signs of aggression are the most obvious and overt signs that a snake is not comfortable or happy around you. The most common sign of aggression is that of striking out. A mock strike means that your snake looks like it is striking but it does not make contact with either its tail or its teeth.
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Why does my ball python stick his head up?

Stargazing syndrome in snakes is characterized by a snake turning the head and neck and staring upward. It is known as stargazing, as the snake looks as if he is staring at the sky and stars. This syndrome is the result of an underlying disorder, which can be determined by a veterinarian.
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Why is my ball python up during the day?

The ball python simply wants to go outside and hunt for prey. Juvenile ball pythons can easily become so active even during the day especially if they are not fed regularly enough. You might want to try increasing their feeding frequency to stop them from moving around the enclosure too much.
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How do you tell if a snake has a respiratory infection?

Snakes with respiratory infections may have excess mucus in their mouths, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, wheezing, and may make 'gurgling' sounds or open mouth breathe. "Most respiratory infections in snakes are caused by bacteria and may occur in conjunction with mouth rot."
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Why is my snake acting weird?

Strange postures can signal a respiratory infection; your snake may be uncomfortable because of fluid in its lungs. Serious health concerns like paramyxovirus, inclusion body disease or neurological diseases can also be indicated by stargazing.
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How do you help a dehydrated snake?

  1. Offer water or diluted electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks, Pedialyte or Ricelyte near the reptile's head for easy, convenient drinking.
  2. Use an eyedropper or needle-less syringe to drip water onto the reptile's snout. As the reptile licks the moisture off, continue offering drinks in this way.
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What does a sick snake look like?

Healthy snakes have smooth, shiny scales. Lesions, scabs, swelling, and lumps can all be signs of sickness. If you notice your pet has small, brown or red dots, your serpent may have mites.
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Why is my snake not moving much?

If your snake cannot move normally, such as being unable to get into position if moved onto their backs, they may have Inclusion Body Disease (IBD), which is a fatal condition. Snakes with IBD will also "stargaze," which means they stare upwards for unusual periods of time.
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How do I know if my snake is happy?

10 Ways to Tell Your Snake is Happy and Relaxed
  1. Slow Movements When Picked Up. While snakes spend most of their lives moving slowly, they can move faster than you think. ...
  2. Relaxed Grip When Handled. ...
  3. Little Hyperfocussing. ...
  4. Normal Eating Habits. ...
  5. Normal Hiding Behavior. ...
  6. Healthy Shedding. ...
  7. Good Air Tasting. ...
  8. Consistent Personality.
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Why is my snake hiding his head?

Conclusion. Ball pythons will curl up if they feel threatened. If you see your snake hiding its head under its body, you need to take steps to reduce stress for your pet. Too much stress can harm your snake in the long run.
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Why is my snake going to the top of the tank?

One of the most common reasons why your snake is trying to escape, is that its tank's temperature and humidity are wrong. What is this? You may also find that your snake tries to escape if you don't have a temperature gradient in their tank.
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How do I know if my ball python is hungry?

Snakes will let you know when they're hungry. They will start prowling their enclosure and their tongue flicks will increase in frequency and number.
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Is my ball python stargazing?

What Is Ball Python Stargazing? Stargazing occurs when the cervical musculature of your ball python contracts, causing the head and neck to raise straight up. This looks as though your pet is gazing at the start, which is where the name comes from.
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Is my snake depressed?

So, unless you're very sure you've seen your snake slither into a corner to shed a tear or two , snakes likely don't get sad or depressed. The closest a snake will come to feeling sadness is being stressed or miffed about regular changes being made to its routine or anything crazy going on right outside its tank.
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Why do snakes curl up?

Answer and Explanation: Snakes curl up to protect themselves from predators. Due to their shape, if a snake were stretched all the way out it would be very easy for a...
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How can I tell if my ball python is cold?

Remember that ball pythons do not undergo brumation. If it looks like brumation is happening, it's usually a sign that your snake is too cold.
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What does a dehydrated snake look like?

A dehydrated ball python will have wrinkly skin, creasing eyes, constipation, and a dry mouth. A stuck shed may also occur due to inadequate moisture and enough fluids in the body. Mist your ball python lightly every day and provide drinking water to fix dehydration in your pet snake.
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How long does it take for a snake to rehydrate?

Place the mat under the tub and set to 82-84°F (27-28°C) , then fill it 1″ (2 cm) deep with electrolyte solution (75% sports drink, 25% water). Let the water warm up for about 15 minutes, then place the snake inside and close the lid. Leave the snake to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
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