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My girl's obsoleta is getting scratched up because it keeps rubbing its nose against the screen lid. It's at the point where the whole muzzle, for lack of a better word, is scratched and gray rather than black, and I'm not sure what to do other than put antibiotic gel on it. Also, there is a sort of dark area under its chin, and it hasn't eaten the last two times I tried to feed it (although I'm not entirely sure the hunger strike is related). Is there any way to get the snake to stop rubbing against the lid? Any other advice? This is her first snake, and she loves it to death, and would hate to see anything happen to it.

First thing's first - correct the housing problem. Basically, he wants out for some reason. Try a big rubbermaid if possible to eliminate any rough areas to rub against. You also may want to look at the way the enclosure is set up. Some common reasons for that restless behavior could be too hot or not enough hiding options, or it could be that the enclosure is just too small for the snake. Also, depending on the size of the animal, it may be a mature male who is getting restless this time of year. My male corn has been very active for the last month or so and has also been very picky with regards to eating (he's usually a PIG!) and has only taken one very small, live mouse in the last month. He also injured his nose, but he was in a rubbermaid container and kept jamming his nose into the ventilation holes to the point where it swelled up a bit. I promptly moved him into a 20 gal long aquarium and he hasn't been able to rub on anything now. As far as the injury itself, just keep it clean and it will heal all by itself after a few sheds as long as he cannot keep injuring himself. Good luck! Billy

>>My girl's obsoleta is getting scratched up because it keeps rubbing its nose against the screen lid. It's at the point where the whole muzzle, for lack of a better word, is scratched and gray rather than black, and I'm not sure what to do other than put antibiotic gel on it. Also, there is a sort of dark area under its chin, and it hasn't eaten the last two times I tried to feed it (although I'm not entirely sure the hunger strike is related). Is there any way to get the snake to stop rubbing against the lid? Any other advice? This is her first snake, and she loves it to death, and would hate to see anything happen to it.

Well, it was kept in a 20 long, but I just moved it into a sweater box. Hopefully that'll do it. I just hope it starts to heal sooner than next shed. I got a really close look today, and its mouth looks bad.

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