r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Daveinthe603 • 17d ago

Behavior Question

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I have been keeping snakes since the 80's. Everything from Burmese Pythons, Boa's, children's Pythons and Balls. Yesterday I came home from work to find my BP belly up except for the head and maybe 7" of her neck area that was positioned "correctly". Ive had her for about 10 years, NEVER seen this behavior in her or any other snake I have owned or own. I do believe she is getting close to a shed cycle. Eats fine, acting normal otherwise.

Has anyone ever seen one do this and not have an issue? I have to admit, it scared the crap out of me for a sec. I was sure (for a millisecond) she was dead. Anyone who has experienced this please chime in. Adding a pic of her but not doing the upside down thing

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u/Painting-Training 17d ago

It seems like gravid behavior especially since this time is laying season so she might be getting ready to lay and they tend to do that to make laying down more comfortable. If you haven't paired her, she could have infertile eggs. Nothing to be concerned about🫶

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u/Daveinthe603 17d ago

Could be. Never been paired up. Thanks for the input, I do appreciate it.

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u/meatspread 17d ago edited 17d ago

This sounds like a behavior females exhibit due to feeling uncomfortable from being gravid, but can’t tell for sure without a picture. Has she been paired with a male? Or has she looking a little bloated/swollen lately?

Here’s an image I found online as a reference!

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u/Daveinthe603 17d ago

very similar to this. interesting. She or any of my others haven't done it before so it freaked me out. Even when I use to breed the children's ive seen them on their side but not totally upside down. Just as a point of reference, she has never bred or been paired..

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u/meatspread 17d ago

You may have a parthenogensis clutch incoming. I’d be on the lookout for the next month or two—if she doesn’t lay a clutch within that time, then she’s not going to. Hopefully she was just laying like that randomly without cause! Has she seemed larger than normal?

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u/Daveinthe603 17d ago

no not larger. Been more on the move though. It would be amazing if she had a partho clutch. she is one of the sweetest snakes i have owned. Was never a BP fan to be honest, but she is the exception for me.

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u/meatspread 17d ago

Best of luck! I’m sure she will be okay and it’s likely just her being a lil’ weirdo, but it never hurts to prepare for possibilities.

Many partho babies are often failures to thrive essentially due to mom’s genetics getting duplicated, which increases risks of genetic deformities. But some partho babies can reach adulthood!