Can ball pythons safely climb branches thinner then them?

[CakeLike]

I have a cool branch I would like to use for the background of my future viv, but it's thinner then my snake will most likely be when he's growing up (he's male).
At 200 grams now I am not worried, but when he grows bigger I was thinking what if he could fall of the branches when he's too big.
Weight isn't a big concern since I secure everything to the walls.
He's an enthusiastic climber so I am sure he'll take the oppurtunity.

Here's a pic of it with my arm as reference.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXdyVfpM...dium=copy_link

[dakski]

Branches are difficult to keep clean and how would you secure it? Also not sure how to answer your question based on a picture and the fact your BP is 200G now. You could always secure it not too far off the ground and he falls a few inches would likely not get hurt. Keep in mind BP's will climb but they are ground snakes and not super adept at it.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?269674-Tank-decor-for-a-snake-who-likes-to-climb&highlight=branches

The above thread is recent discussion that should give you some ideas.

I use PVC for my Carpet Python.

[CakeLike]

Branches are difficult to keep clean and how would you secure it? Also not sure how to answer your question based on a picture and the fact your BP is 200G now. You could always secure it not too far off the ground and he falls a few inches would likely not get hurt. Keep in mind BP's will climb but they are ground snakes and not super adept at it.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?269674-Tank-decor-for-a-snake-who-likes-to-climb&highlight=branches

The above thread is recent discussion that should give you some ideas.

I use PVC for my Carpet Python.

I mean people use branches all the time. Especially with naturalistic and bioactive enclosures and they don't really clean them.
And securing it by bolting it down.
I am not so worried he'd hurt himself by falling down, there will be plenty of bedding and I don't put it high up.
I just wanted to know if he can fit on the branch comfortably when he's older.
And I feel like providing climbing branches is a better solution for him than not, since he will climb anyway and I guess it's better than climbing the walls were he regularly looses his grip.

[Hugsplox]

I mean people use branches all the time. Especially with naturalistic and bioactive enclosures and they don't really clean them.
And securing it by bolting it down.
I am not so worried he'd hurt himself by falling down, there will be plenty of bedding and I don't put it high up.
I just wanted to know if he can fit on the branch comfortably when he's older.
And I feel like providing climbing branches is a better solution for him than not, since he will climb anyway and I guess it's better than climbing the walls were he regularly looses his grip.

Not sure where you're getting that people don't clean wood in their enclosures but I'm going to have to disagree with you. I think to Dakski's point, using something like PVC is easier to clean therefore easier to use. He's not saying people don't use them, I have branches in my BP enclosure, but they are incredibly time consuming to clean and because wood is porous you have to be very careful about what products you use on them. Like Dakski said, BPs will climb but they're not super adept at it, so I wouldn't put anything that takes them more than a few inches off the ground. My male has plenty of "climbing" opportunity in his enclosure, but nothing that's going to put him up high enough to hurt himself, and nothing that needs to be bolted down.

[Bogertophis]

I mean people use branches all the time. Especially with naturalistic and bioactive enclosures and they don't really clean them.
And securing it by bolting it down.
I am not so worried he'd hurt himself by falling down, there will be plenty of bedding and I don't put it high up.
I just wanted to know if he can fit on the branch comfortably when he's older.
And I feel like providing climbing branches is a better solution for him than not, since he will climb anyway and I guess it's better than climbing the walls were he regularly looses his grip.

BPs are not "designed" for being good climbers. That doesn't mean they don't try anyway- some do, & some are better than others. Some opportunity to climb on things offers exercise & "enrichment", but for a BP, I wouldn't situate branches so your BP gets very high up, as repeated falls can potentially do some injury, sooner or later. I have an older rosy boa that climbs a little too- so she has a couple branches. Their bodies are round, so they're not great climbers either, lol, but she manages, & better than expected.

Also, when any snake is repeatedly trying to climb out of their secure enclosure (& it's not about breeding a nearby mate) I'd be asking myself why? It may mean that the husbandry is off (temperatures or hides aren't suitable?) so time to double check before you encourage them.

Back to branches- a wide-bodied BP cannot hang on well to a single branch the way a rat snake can- but 2 or 3 branches grouped would work much better for stability & fewer falls.

My snakes (RAT snakes) live in glass tanks, so there is no "bolting branches to the walls". What I do instead is trim branches to lengths that fit exactly at an angle (from one bottom corner, diagonally to an upper corner on the opposite side) & they cross over each other in the middle somewhere. Sometimes they lock firmly together (it's like a puzzle...) but often I use one or 2 pieces of coated wire* to quickly stabilize their position (wrap where they cross each other) so my snakes can climb & the branches stay in place, securely. (*hint: you could also use zip-ties)

Yes, we DO really clean branches. And at some point, if contaminated, we throw them away & replace them. As already noted, wood is porous- they can soak up & retain nasty germs. There is a limit to what you can wash off & sanitize like the rest of the enclosure. But natural branches offer way more traction for snakes than most other options- everything has "pros" & "cons".

[Armiyana]

it's thinner then my snake will most likely be when he's growing up (he's male).
At 200 grams now I am not worried, but when he grows bigger I was thinking what if he could fall of the branches when he's too big.

Be careful what you say now....because this is my largest ball python, weighing in at almost 6 pounds.
My male BP, who has been this large since he was around 4 or 5 years old I honestly can't remember. He's always been big.

[CakeLike]

Be careful what you say now....because this is my largest ball python, weighing in at almost 6 pounds.
My male BP, who has been this large since he was around 4 or 5 years old I honestly can't remember. He's always been big.

You sure it's a male at 6 pounds?!

[CakeLike]

BPs are not "designed" for being good climbers. That doesn't mean they don't try anyway- some do, & some are better than others. Some opportunity to climb on things offers exercise & "enrichment", but for a BP, I wouldn't situate branches so your BP gets very high up, as repeated falls can potentially do some injury, sooner or later. I have an older rosy boa that climbs a little too- so she has a couple branches. Their bodies are round, so they're not great climbers either, lol, but she manages, & better than expected.

Also, when any snake is repeatedly trying to climb out of their secure enclosure (& it's not about breeding a nearby mate) I'd be asking myself why? It may mean that the husbandry is off (temperatures or hides aren't suitable?) so time to double check before you encourage them.

Back to branches- a wide-bodied BP cannot hang on well to a single branch the way a rat snake can- but 2 or 3 branches grouped would work much better for stability & fewer falls.

My snakes (RAT snakes) live in glass tanks, so there is no "bolting branches to the walls". What I do instead is trim branches to lengths that fit exactly at an angle (from one bottom corner, diagonally to an upper corner on the opposite side) & they cross over each other in the middle somewhere. Sometimes they lock firmly together (it's like a puzzle...) but often I use one or 2 pieces of coated wire* to quickly stabilize their position (wrap where they cross each other) so my snakes can climb & the branches stay in place, securely. (*hint: you could also use zip-ties)

Yes, we DO really clean branches. And at some point, if contaminated, we throw them away & replace them. As already noted, wood is porous- they can soak up & retain nasty germs. There is a limit to what you can wash off & sanitize like the rest of the enclosure. But natural branches offer way more traction for snakes than most other options- everything has "pros" & "cons".

Do you have bioactive enclosures?
When I go on youtube and search for bioactive set ups and someone asks how do you clean the tank, they always say you don't clean it when it's bioactive since the isopods are there.
And I have seen many keepers with bioactive ball python enclosures which also have wood in there setups.

[Bogertophis]

Do you have bioactive enclosures?
When I go on youtube and search for bioactive set ups and someone asks how do you clean the tank, they always say you don't clean it when it's bioactive since the isopods are there.
And I have seen many keepers with bioactive ball python enclosures which also have wood in there setups.

No, & honestly, I have zero interest in doing bioactive enclosures. Seems like an awful big hassle, & there's only so much the "little critters" can dispose of- you still need to pick some up. I've also heard of people having trouble keeping their plants alive. Personally, I love growing plants & insects...in my YARD! I strongly suspect that your impression that bioactive set-ups are somehow "easier" are very misleading at best. I've been keeping many snakes for a very long time- & what I do works well for me. If it "ain't broke, I don't fix it".

[Kevinfletcher]

Keep the branch on its side just like in picture you took of it