Ball pythons - Creatures of habit?

[Keyboard Warrior]

We all notice familiar patterns when we first get our ball pythons. They're all uniquely different. Like what side they like to sleep on, what they're hours are, eating habits. But what does it mean when they break those habits? I'm a creature of habit myself, and when I notice my BP breaking his habits, it concerns me. Like I know my bp sleeps normally on his hot side. But when I wake up and find him curled up in a cold corner, near his cold hide, it concerns me. Or if he's up and about at different hours then I expect to see him at. I have to tell myself its nothing I did, but he's just being himself.

Is it always a husbandry problem? Or are they not really creatures of habit? They just kinda do as they please.

[firemandan26]

I don't think the have much of a habit. If you think about them in the wild, they are opportunistic. They don't get fed once a week at the same time, they sit and wait for days on end. Then they would go find some heat and rest. My BP's seem to do things when they want. Sometimes ill spot clean them and they will be in there hides for days. Other times they will be out and about, just looking around. So in my "opinion," I do not think they are subject to habit, and its not bad husbandry.

[Redneck_Crow]

I think they move around to whatever part of the tub or cage suits them at the time. Your snake might prefer the warm side when he's actively digesting a meal.