Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My new pyro is doing something I have not had happen with any other kings I have.
I evenly spread the substrate out,,and with a day he has it all pushed into the back ad the front of the cage bare....
Any reason for this? Temp is 85 in warm and 72 in cool.
Thanks

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Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python 1.0
Eastern King 0.1
Mexican Black King
Great Basin Gopher
Hypo Brooks 1.0
White Sided Bull 1.0 (Envy)
Striped Pacific Gopher (Envy)
Axanthic Brooksi 0.1 (Mark Kenderdine)
Goini King 1.0 (Mark Kenderdine)
Northern Pine 1.0 (Nick Puder)
Arizona Mtn. King 1.0 (AAM Snakes)

I love the smell of aspen shavings in the morning...lol

"To serve man..it's...it's a cookbook!"

I don't keep Pyros, but my Kings and Gophers will redecorate their enclosures. Good looking snake,btw.

reako45

my other kings and pits do alittle,,,but this one trying to make it a "designer home"..lol
thanks,,i got him from Tony at AAM Snakes
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Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python 1.0
Eastern King 0.1
Mexican Black King
Great Basin Gopher
Hypo Brooks 1.0
White Sided Bull 1.0 (Envy)
Striped Pacific Gopher (Envy)
Axanthic Brooksi 0.1 (Mark Kenderdine)
Goini King 1.0 (Mark Kenderdine)
Northern Pine 1.0 (Nick Puder)
Arizona Mtn. King 1.0 (AAM Snakes)

I love the smell of aspen shavings in the morning...lol

"To serve man..it's...it's a cookbook!"

When I've had snakes do this, they aren't pushing the substrate, but pushing against the enclosure wall trying to get out. The substrate gets pushed back in the process, leaving the floor of the cage bare in one spot. In my case, it's always been a husbandry issue, usually temp or humidity related. Once corrected, the snakes aren't so anxious to get out.
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Diego

SWCHR

My baby eastern kings will do that in there plastic tubs. They will push all the bedding to the back of the tub trying to push theyre way out. Nothing unusual. Dont worry. Good looking king.

Well, maybe "worry" isn't the right word, but the original poster should at least be concerned. The snake is obviously saying something, because it is trying to push it's way through a solid object. There has to be a reason, and therefore, a solution. I am willing to bet it is a humidity issue. Give that snake at LEAST two humid hides - one on the warm end and one on the cool end and see if this behavior persists.
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Diego

SWCHR

i will try that..the temps are right,,,,is the best way to use damp sphagnum in the hide,,or any other ways?
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Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python 1.0
Eastern King 0.1
Mexican Black King
Great Basin Gopher
Hypo Brooks 1.0
White Sided Bull 1.0 (Envy)
Striped Pacific Gopher (Envy)
Axanthic Brooksi 0.1 (Mark Kenderdine)
Goini King 1.0 (Mark Kenderdine)
Northern Pine 1.0 (Nick Puder)
Arizona Mtn. King 1.0 (AAM Snakes)

I love the smell of aspen shavings in the morning...lol

"To serve man..it's...it's a cookbook!"

That works. You can also use sand, ground coconut, dirt, paper towels, etc. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Experiment to see what you and your snakes like best.
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Diego

SWCHR

Here are three reasons (not the only three) why this happens:
1. The snake is seeking a vastly different temperature than is in the cage, usually meaning it is looking for a cool area.

2. The snake is looking for a humid or moderately humid resting place.

3. The snake is looking to breed (likely not the case this time of year.)

Snakes that have what they are looking for do not work so hard to try and leave.

I had a young nelsons do that on aspen. I switched him to ground coconut substrate (moist) and he burrowed in and hasn't pushed any around since.
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Mark