Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know snakes rub their faces after eating to get their jaws lined back up but I've seen my 6 foot male rub his face occasionally on his branches.Could this be a resp problem?
He is in an 80 gallon tank with UTH, basking light for day heat and a red light for night heat. His temps are in the high 80's in the day and about 80 at night. Big water bowl. I mist him occasionally, more so when he is in shedding mode.
I also had him out a while ago letting him cruze the back yard and we could hear him breathing. He was pretty loud. But I don't know if he was 'out of shape' since he hasn't been out since its been to cold or what. He is eating fine and acting fine otherwise.

Mine does the exact same thing. She is about 3 1/2 years old, 8ft and wheezes whenever she's out of her cage. Not always at first but after a while. It's like a cross between a hiss and a wheeze. I have taken her to the vet though and no resp infection. I have seen other JCP's that do the same thing. I have a humidifier in her cage so thats not the prob and her temps are high so I wouldn't worry about it. She also rubs her head, not just after she eats but whenever she seems to be getting comfortable. None of my other snakes do this but I have just accepted it as one of her personality traits.

great. thanks for your reply:0)it must be a normal behavior. 'safari' is doing great. there is no discharge or anything like that.

My female JCP started rubbing a few years back, I finally noticed some trouble eating. She had a serious mouth infection. She was treated with anibiotics, but eventually died, I think if I would have checked the inside of her mouth sooner I may have saved her.