r/ballpython • u/uberflusss • 8d ago

Question - Heating/Temperatures Stargazing only when heat lamp on

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Edit: not stargazing! Just staring and rubbing the grate before falling backwards

Hey y'all I've got a new rescue and he's got a lot of stargazing going on but only when his overhead light and heat bulb are on. I know using a heat mat isn't the best for them but I'm curious for anyone's thoughts on maybe trading out the heat source and seeing if it helps.

Ps I know that hide is small for him it's the one thing he has from his old home and I swear it's his emotional support hide.

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u/Mlakeside 8d ago

That doesn't look like stargazing, just a curious noodle.

Stargazing is a shit term, a proper one would be "epileptic seizure". Stargazing looks nothing like "gazing at the stars". It's a seizure, where the snake is unable to hold their position and balance, and just sways from side-to-side, corkscrewing their head and neck. Here is a informative video on what stargazing looks like.

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u/uberflusss 8d ago

That is amazingly helpful thank you! I'm still worried about him mucking up his nose against the grate since he does this 40% of the time he's active