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Is this stargazing?

L

lupegirl8

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Many of the last several times I've checked on my new baby hognose she has been in the back corner with her body almost totally vertical pressed into the crease of the corner looking up. It's almost like she was trying to escape but decided to give up and just sit there. She's not like that every time I check on her, but I'd say about 50% of the time she's in that position. It's always the same corner too.

Is that stargazing? She doesn't seem to have any other symptoms (except that she hasn't eaten for me yet, but it's only been about a week since I brought her home).

Am I just being paranoid or is this something to worry about?
 
Snakes that suffer stargazing tend to sit with their bodies twisted round holding their head in the air and struggle to move around as it's a symptom of a central nervous disease. It's not a disease all of its own but comes from other illness issues. Normally more common in boas I've never seen it in hogs but it is possible of course. I think what could be happening is its trying to climb the side and then you appear benind him and the snake Sense you there and goes still. If it's running the side of the tanks and moving around then I would guess your little friend is just fine.
Seems you might be suffering new keeper syndrome where a snake acts different to how its expected to and the keeper worries.
Pop a branch in for him to climb up on my hogs love to climb although not as good as boas at it they still enjoy a climb about.
 
I haven't heard of stargazing in colubrids before. However, that posture can be a sign of a respiratory infection.
 
She can definitely right herself and seems otherwise active and healthy (apart from not eating). I'm probably just being overly worried. I have a lot of experience with turtles, but this is my first snake.

What are other symptoms of a respiratory infection in snakes? I know in turtles it's overbasking, lethargy, lack of appetite, wheezing, open mouth breathing, and mucus discharge around the nose and mouth. My snake definitely hasn't shown any of those other symptoms, except for the lack of appetite but I think that's just because she's still adjusting. She is active, bright eyed, and huffy.

Also since posting I haven't seen her in that position again.
 
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