How to stop snake pushing his nose into the ventilation holes???

[benjamind2010]

I'm just wondering why my woma is still doing this. I am concerned that eventually he will injure himself.

I am making sure to minimise any undue stress on the animal.

But why is he doing this? I know it's more than just curiosity, he is going to harm himself (hopefully only superficially) but I'm just concerned. I know womas are into breeding season soon and being 4 years old he is probably looking for a girl, but she's too small (she's only a juvenile). I cannot understand this behavior and I am starting to worry that it will threaten the health of my pride and joy.

Ben

 

[mattyf]

my coastal does it all the time. he is just looking for a way out. they are curious animals and will always trying to find an exit.

 

[grannieannie]

My 2 yr old Stimmie does it all the time too...the first time I saw it I thought maybe he was beginning to shed, but it wasn't that, he just seems to really like doing it sometimes, like Matty said, I think he's trying to find a way out.....he seems to push real hard, I worried at first, but I just keep a close eye on him and he seems ok and hasn't hurt himself so far. Don't worry too much.

 

[Elapidae1]

yeah my stimmies have always got their noses at the vent

 

[aspidito]

At this time of the year male womas are searching for females so you will have a lot more activity like that, they want out allright.

 

[Fangus]

are they the round holes at the front of the melamine type enclosure ..... My coastal used to sit there for ages with his head kinda in the hole with his nose pushed up against the vent, which is on the outside of the enclosure.
I put another plastic vent cover on the inside of the enclosure and he has not done it since .... as the others have said i think they are trying to get out .. .. placing the covers on the inside is actually a much smarter idea since if the snakes do decide to push on it there is absolutey no chance of them popping the vent cover out and then escaping ... I will be doing this with every enclosure ihave in the future.

 

[JAS101]

my large female spotted sits there for hours with her nose/head in the vent hole .

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Cage pacing and pushing is very common behaviour for male pythons at this time of the year. Your 4 year old Woma will be full of hormones at this time - he's looking for love...

 

[benjamind2010]

He hasn't done any real damage to his nose, but I noticed a tiny inkling of blood on one side of his nose indicating he's pushed a bit too hard and probably worn off some skin. I'm not going to freak out.
I have arranged to change the 8mm ventilation holes to 3mm holes (I'm replacing the back panel of the enclosure), hoping that he'll recognise the 3mm holes as barriers. I think 8mm holes are tricking him into thinking he's found an escape hole. Unfortunately he absolutely WILL hammer his nose if he keeps up with these stupid antics because he is dealing quite a bit of force - enough force that the back panel bends slightly and this is 6mm acrylic mind you, not your typical cheap rubbish, it's damn tough. While I don't think he will ever get to the point of breaking his own neck I am certainly concerned about his nose. In my experience snake scales do -+NOT+- ever grow back, you just get a scar and quite frankly I really don't want that on a snake that I haven't even had for 2 weeks!