This is cool, am I right though??

Hey guys I was just able to feed my beep her 2nd live hopper. When I put the rat in her tank, it'll start trying to make a nest. Both have made a lil burrow in her sub now... Then once she's done eating she'll go lay in the burrow. Is this like a territory thing with bps? I tried googling it but couldn't find a thing about behavior like that. I'm seeking some details on that if that's what's going on, I'd love to get to know my beep a lil better in the nature way. She's too freakin cool!!

Most likely just investigating since the burrow smells strongly of rat and maybe just finds the "nest" as a safe area if the bedding is thick so it doesnt feel as exposed, similar togoing back in to its hide.

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I was thinking that first, but made me think what I just said up there because as soon as she's done she sniffs around and curls up. I just walked in to check on her and she reached out of that burrow to drink some water. Do you think she might be trying to put her own scent in the area at all? Idk if bps put off a scent. I know big black snakes do lol

Or to disguise her scent as a rat? As other animals do in nature? Idk I just feel like investigating isn't what I see her doing is all

Also, the first hopper made a lil nest in the middle of her tank. She laid right in it, exposed

Well, they are known to camp out in rodent burrows in the wild, so it probably figures that if it hangs out there the inhabitants of the burrow might come back.

That makes sense too!

I feed f/t, but my girl will sniff all the spots the rat was (including herself!) after she's done eating. Very possible they are staking out more food.

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cool topic. I like this discussion of subtle behaviors. I would suspect it is something akin to getting the rodent scent on themselves, as olfactory camouflage, and also as another poster stated, "camping out " in the rat's lair... waiting to spring death and brimstone upon the other family member rodents when they come "home". {laughs evilly}

In their natural habitat, ball pythons live most of their lives underground and are very opportunistic animals. They will leave their burrows at night to seek prey, which will almost always be a rodent den. Once inside the den the Python will wait silently to ambush any passing rodents.

After a meal is achieved and there are no threats around they will stay inside the burrow to digest the recently obtained meal. When they are ready to feed again, they will search the burrow again for stragglers then move to the next burrow.

I'm assuming you're little one was just exhibiting some of its natural instincts, and you should feel very lucky to witness it! I'm honestly pretty jealous bc I really love the natural behaviors and habits these animals have. Thank you for posting!