My BP is a clutz...

Seshat loves her new tank and gets out for walks multiple times a day. In fact, I never knew snakes could be so athletic. She adores climbing the walks, but is a clutz and falls. Short of bubble wrapping her, are there suggestions to keep her safe? I use paper towels as bedding and added some layers, but it's not thick enough to break her fall. Thankfully she doesn't have anything sharp/too hard/round to fall on.

Ball Pythons are ground dwellers and while they can climb they are not arboreal snakes and often fall, something to consider.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Ball Pythons are ground dwellers and while they can climb they are not arboreal snakes and often fall, something to consider.

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Maybe I can use a blanket instead of paper towels? I clean her tank 2-3 times a week so she always has a fresh bedding.

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

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Originally Posted by Snake Judy

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

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26inches so...about 2 feet. She's robust at almost 3lbs. I'd like to use a substrate but I am paranoid about getting mites. :(

As for her setup; what am I looking for exactly?

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Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

As for her setup; what am I looking for exactly?

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Here's a few things to check. Folks here can help and let you know if anything is off if you answer these. Typically a happy ball python will spend most/all of the day curled up and hiding, and then maybe roam a bit at night. If she's a brand new snake, though, or in a brand new enclosure, it might just be that she hasn't settled in yet.

What are the temperatures on your hot side and your cool side?
What are you using to heat the enclosure and how is it measured and regulated?
What's your humidity?
What kind of hides are you using?

If you have a picture of your setup that'll help even more.

Mine does this too, I put plenty of things for him to climb on in there and it helps a lot. Big rock ledge, lots of fake plants suction cupped to the sides, rock waterfall, and sticks. My bp spends most of the night climbing. Just make sure that the top is extra extra secure.

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Originally Posted by Snake Judy

How tall is her tank? A fall of a foot or so won't hurt her. You could use a particle substrate like coir or something to give the bottom some padding if you're worried about it.

Also, if she's coming out and roaming around multiple times during the day, it might indicate something is off in the enclosure and it's stressing her out. I'd double check your set-up.

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Thats a pretty vague catch-all-statement. There is incredible variability in the activity of different animals depending on barometric pressure, weather patterns, light and dark conditions, new scents in the home etc. impossible to compare the habits of different animals across the country. I've had bps that NEVER leave their hides unless they are eating, drinking or defecating, and have also had bps that were very active, with the exact same husbandry.

As for falling, I wouldn't worry about it. These guys are much tougher than you think. I wouldn't put the snake up high on a perch, but if she's just climbing around the enclosure and slips, you will be fine.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Thats a pretty vague catch-all-statement. There is incredible variability in the activity of different animals depending on barometric pressure, weather patterns, light and dark conditions, new scents in the home etc. impossible to compare the habits of different animals across the country. I've had bps that NEVER leave their hides unless they are eating, drinking or defecating, and have also had bps that were very active, with the exact same husbandry.

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Yep, this is true! Nevertheless, it's not "typical" ball python behavior to be extremely active during the day, so always a good idea to rule out any problems in husbandry, especially for a new keeper. But like I said, it's likely that the snake is just getting accustomed to the new enclosure.

Sure, I hear what you are saying. I would honestly be much more concerned if the snake spent all of its time in one location, and never thermoregulated.