Respiratory infection??

[Jiwest0694]

My sand boa who is about 7 inches is opening his mouth alot. I noticed a few days ago when I was handling him and I hear popping which I pretty sure is coming from him opening his mouth. Im just worried because I only got him a month ago.

[GyGbeetle]

How is your husbandry? Is there any unnecessary moisture in his tank? Any discharge coming out of his mouth or nose? Does his skin seem dry like he's ready to go into a shed? Any other symptoms (nose rubbing, lifting up his head, other weird movements)?

[sattva]

Could he be re-aligning his jaw?

[Jiwest0694]

He doesn't have discharge but he is about to go into shed so Ive bumped his humidity to 30-40% normally its around 20-30%. I use aspen snake bedding and theres just a piece of wood from a local pet shop from him to shed on

[GyGbeetle]

Some of my snakes will open and close their mouth just before going into shed. The first time this happened, I thought for sure one had an RI. But it turns out, it was just tight skin around the chin. If there's discharge, I would take her to the vet. But if the opening of the mouth and "popping" or "clicking" sound resolves after the shed, then that's your answer.

[Jiwest0694]

Isn't it also normal for them to not eat before going into shed?
Thanks so much for the help

[BillyCostume]

Some snakes will refuse to eat while in shed others will eat regardless. It's completely normal for them to refuse during this time.

[Andy_G]

Everything you mentioned can be explained by your snake going into shed.