Are ball pythons even [I]slightly[/I] arboreal?

[Anya]

I've seen a lot of conflicting opinions on this, and just can't seem to find a definitive answer. What do (you) the experts say? What have you observed?

I''m about to put some baked driftwood branches in Axel's tank, partly for attractiveness, partly for (hopefully) functionality. Will he actually use them?

Thanks in advance.

(grrr, screwed up the title and dunno how to fix it...)

[Skittles1101]

It depends on the bp. I have one out of four that climbs to any extent...I keep temp and humidity analog guages in his tank because he likes to climb across them. If you're putting that stuff in his tank anyways, then don't worry about it, he may or may not use them...depending on his personality lol.

[Egapal]

I've seen a lot of conflicting opinions on this, and just can't seem to find a definitive answer. What do (you) the experts say? What have you observed?

I''m about to put some baked driftwood branches in Axel's tank, partly for attractiveness, partly for (hopefully) functionality. Will he actually use them?

Thanks in advance.

(grrr, screwed up the title and dunno how to fix it...)

This comes up all the time. I think that there are definitive answers in all of the threads like this. Ball Pythons are NOT arboreal. Now the problem is that a bunch of people will jump on and talk about how their ball python climbs. No it doesn't. Your BP climbs over branches just like it would climb over branches in the wild. Ball Pythons do not climb trees in the wild and spend large amounts of time in those trees. Let me put this another way. Are humans aquatic. I don't think that anyone would say that humans are even semi aquatic. Seeing people going for a swim does not make them aquatic. The fact that some people deep see dive does not make them aquatic. The fact is that if you have a pool in the back yard you run the risk of a human drowning in that pool. Because we are not aquatic. Just like a pool for humans you can provide branches for your BP but make sure they are secure and low to the ground. Young BP might strike you as great climbers but I can tell you that that they are not. They are great fallers. Go check out a green tree python and then ask yourself is a BP arboreal? Ball Pythons are a terrestrial snake that will explore its surroundings.

[Anya]

@Egapal

I am aware how completely arboreal python species act and look like. However, I have read so many people say otherwise, who've had extensive experience! That said, your logic is very sound, and I agree. Thanks for your useful post.

[JLC]

Egapal makes an excellent point. Just because some individuals will climb over obstacles in their environment...and just because a few will even hang out on a branch does not make them "arboreal".

[JLC]

@Egapal

Whoah, defensive much? I only asked a simple question! I am aware how completely arboreal python species act and look like. However, I have read so many people say otherwise, who've had extensive experience! That said, your logic is very sound, and I agree.

I don't think he was being defensive...just strong about his point.

I think the problem with what "so many" people say is the misuse of a word like "arboreal". Can BP's climb? Certainly. WILL they? Sometimes. Do they like it? Some might, but who can really say? Does this make then "arboreal" in any way? No.

No one is disputing whether or not they can climb (or at least, such a fact shouldn't be disputed). The dispute would then revolve around how one defines the term arboreal. Or it might not revolve around that word at all, but rather whether or not they NEED to be allowed to climb. Because they are NOT arboreal, I don't think they NEED to be given a climbing surface. That's my personal take on the matter.

[Anya]

I don't think he was being defensive...just strong about his point.

Yeeeah...That did occur to me. haha, I have since edited my post, as I realized *I* was the one being defensive.

Thanks for the great answers, guys. I feel a little more educated.

[jfmoore]

Hi Anya,

By arboreal, do you mean that ball pythons typically "live in the trees" in the wild. Then, no, of course not.

On the other hand, they definitely climb and explore their surroundings when they feel it is safe to do so. I remember a large exhibit at one of the Ohio zoos, I think Columbus, where they had a T-style perch set totally out in the open, with the horizontal part maybe four feet off the ground. Perfectly folded half and half over the horizontal part looking for all the world like a green tree python or emerald boa was a big ball python. The keepers may well have positioned a heat lamp directly over the perch; I can't remember, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the primary reason that the snake chose that particular place to hang out, seemingly unconcerned with all the people peering in.

Whether your driftwood branches are big enough, or feel secure enough (don't move around), or fill all the environmental needs that your python has remains to be seen. Give it a try and see!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Your question has already been answered but I like seeing myself type today

Just make sure it is not too tall because they will fall. I have one that tried to lay on the lip of his water bowl and it is funny to watch him fall off, sometimes a dry fall and sometimes a splash He looks around like "What the hell??" and then climes back on the bowl

[Anya]

Thank you, Joan! I'm thinking I misused the word 'arboreal' What I mean is, in the wild, will they climb trees, and occasionally hang out in branches and such? I know they are primarily terrestrial, living in abandoned burrows and termite mounds, but are trees actually something they can (and will) climb and occasionally be happy in?

Your story is very cool! I would love to see that.

I will try and see! they're a little wider than the thickest part of Axel, and very sturdy. He's very comfortable in roaming his cage at night and a few minutes during the day, and loves to travel up and down my arms. I'll do my best to secure the branches, and see what happens.

Thanks again!