Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've had my irian jaya carpet python for a little over a month now(he is a baby). i'm starting to notice that he rubs his chin and side of his mouth along his branches kind of awkwardly lately. there is nothing there that i can really see. he doesn't appear to be going into shed just yet. i have seen some white specking on the top of his neck area lately-- but i don't see anything moving or that looks like actual mites or lifted scales-- but i have heard mite poo is white. however, the only mites i've ever actually seen are little white ones on my fire skink. i have never actually seen snake mites. the white specks have dusted off now. but he is still doing the chin rubbing. does this sound like something to be concerned about? none of my other snakes do this.
z

well, this is interesting. i have a 7 foot jungle carpet that does the chin rubbing occasionally. i am 100% sure he doesn't have mites.
is your baby also soaking alot? that is a sign of mites also. they soak to try to rid themselves of mite. my JCP did have mites when i first got him about 3 years ago.
i know after they eat they rub to realign their jaws. sorry i can't help you more. another thought is did he recently shed an has some old skin stuck?

he has not been entering his waterbowl at all that i have seen. and he has not shed in my care yet. i am on my way to work but tonight i am going to use a magnifying glass on him, and see if i can see anything at all.

thanks,
z

I agree with the approach that janome outlined above. When you check your snake closely, also check inside the mouth as sometimes a piece of substrate (like a wood splinter) can get lodged between the teeth and the gums, causing irritation. (this happened with a python of mine once)

I have an 8ft JCP that has always, since it was a hatchling, rubbed it's head. It rubs the heat pits, the sides of his head, and even the top. We've had this conversation here before on a number of occassions and other people have seen the same behavior. I don't think it's anything to worry about, seems to be a common behavior.

awesome! thank you.

Yes, my JCP does the same after she eats she will rub her jaw along her branch. I figured she was trying to get that piece of substrate out that was caught but it didn't last very long. So if your snake just ate I would say something is caught or like someone said earlier that it is realigning its jaw but if its doing it randomly I really have no idea besides its trying to shed some skin.
-Megan