Can a BP literally die from stress?

My friends suddenly consider me the ball python expert, which is hilariously untrue. I was asked today if Snakes can die from stress alone, and I didn't have an answer for him. I'm a fish keeper and they can easily die from stress. Heck, so can we. But it's a bit more complicated for humans, I think.

Anyway, suppose you had a BP but were cruel in a way that caused no visible harm. Flicking the lights off all night in minute intervals, or providing no hides and then chasing it around the tank. It made me sick to type that and I don't want to think of more.

Is that alone a potential cause for gradual death even if the snake is otherwise in perfect health?

Not sure but people that could do that to a defenseless animal need to have their butt kicked. Then someone to turn there lights out

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You can stress a ball python to death by simply providing it no place to hide, particularly if they are in a glass tank. They need to feel safe and secure to eat and if they don't feel safe and secure they will starve themselves to death...or rather you'll stave them to death by not providing them the proper care.

That's terrible. One of my friends has an 11 year old male BP with No hides and an UTH with no thermostat. He doesn't care. Before I knew anything I didn't see anything wrong with the setup. Now I'm like "OH NO NO NO"

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Originally Posted by m1lkhoney

That's terrible. One of my friends has an 11 year old male BP with No hides and an UTH with no thermostat. He doesn't care. Before I knew anything I didn't see anything wrong with the setup. Now I'm like "OH NO NO NO"

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Please take him from him, buy it or whatever.

It's ironic. He's the one who got me into snakes in the first place. He's also an ex boyfriend so it makes it much more difficult but I have forwarded him care sheets, which apparently he's never even seen before. If things don't change, I will look into more appropriate housing.

oh hes an ex? lol forget it then.

Well, the poor snake isn't my ex! Although I should have dated him instead.

I know a guy who's the same way, and his BP is 16 years old. Or, he's had her for 16 years, I don't think she was a hatchling when he got her. And, well, it's worked for them for 16 years, I guess I can't complain. It's not the right setup and probably most BPs wouldn't have survived under such conditions. But if that particular snake is that old and is eating and otherwise doing well, I guess it doesn't bother him.

Depends tub or tank I know a lot of people with racks don't use hides and most breeders don't but in a tank I say they're 100% necessary.

Security is big for these little fellas.


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