Reptile & Amphibian Forums

if my snake bumps up against the glass occasionally, or tries to crawl out all the time is it possible that he can mess up his nose and get a form of mouth rot

Absolutely,.......it's called "infectious stomatitis" and snakes can get this as a secondary problem caused by constant rubbing, especially on rough surfaces like screen lids.

If it is constantly rubbing it's snout to the point of it becoming raw, it's because there is a problem with the husbandry
(temps,hides,food, etc...) and this should be addressed ASAP!

Otherwise, if left to rub and become ill with mouth-rot, it can also additionally lead to several other serious illnesses that can lead to the snakes death.

It is a "domino affect" that starts from rubbing nose raw, then when the snake becomes ill it also doesn't eat(in addition to oncome of serious respiratory infection) which makes the snake even weaker yet, and less able to fight the illness(s).

hope this helps, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I agree with Doug.

A snake that is nose-rubbing is an unhappy snake.

There are a lot of husbandry things you can look into,
Such as:
-check the temps, is it too hot or too cold?
-he needs a hide box, two is better (warm and cool sides)
-make sure the enclosure is large enough
-use a good substrate, aspen shavings or newspaper are good
-always have clean water available
-maybe he's hungry?
-males can be restless during mating season
-a wild-caught snake may never settle down - these should be released

Hope this helps.

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat "Roberta" RELEASED!!!

I've done all that, everything is what the requirements are. He's even eating, and mellowed out when i was holding him today. He just likes to sit next to the glass occasionally. Its not all the time but sometimes i see him crawling up it as if he is trying to get out. Do you think this is a problem?

If you were stuck in a clear, 4 walled enclosure, and the only "give" was the pushing of the screen, you'd give it some serious study too! I believe snakes know where to get out, they are just trying to do just that.
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Todd Hughes

Gotta agree with Todd.

Not only do they try to escape, once thay find the way out they will use it again and again. So, make sure there isn't one!

IMHO, if he's not damaging his nose its not a problem.

If he continues to push at the screen, you might consider a different setup. By pushing, I mean actually shoving, not just touching. A snake that's pushing will throw its whole body into the effort.

Personnaly, I like a snake that comes out and cruises instead of hiding all the time.

Best of luck!

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.1 Eastern Kingsnakes