Excercise for snakes?

So in the wild, obviously BP's would still be spending a lot of time in their hiding spots, but they would also be roaming around a lot.

I guess to some extent holding them and letting them roam around your arm is excercise, but doesn't it seem like they need more to do in life?

Sometimes I wonder if I should start encouraging her to pull her self out of the tank a few times a week:strong:.

I've wondered this myself. Good question. :D

Little treadmill, about 2 feet wide with high sides. They sell them at PetCo, the snake's slithering powers it and it can slither endlessly.

:D lol great idea

And it's like 79.95 in the back by the pet food.

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Originally Posted by Jeo123

So in the wild, obviously BP's would still be spending a lot of time in their hiding spots, but they would also be roaming around a lot.

I guess to some extent holding them and letting them roam around your arm is excercise, but doesn't it seem like they need more to do in life?

Sometimes I wonder if I should start encouraging her to pull her self out of the tank a few times a week:strong:.

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I'm pretty sure they tend to remain in one location for as long as possible. Venturing out would mean that they are increasing the odds another animal will find them.

All the footage and commentary on ball pythons in the wild talked about them being in their termite mounds with very very few exceptions. So they were not spending time "roaming around a lot". Since they ambush rodents in the termite mounds, they don't need to hunt down food, they are not even built for chasing prey. So moving around exposes them to predetors AND alerts prey items that there is a snake around. Also they would be giving up a satisfactory hide spot for an unknown. Another python could take their spot even if they did try to return, and they could possibly not find a ideal hiding spot and be left exposed.

Generally we should remember that pythons in general and ball pythons in particular are not mammals and especially not humans. They don't feel any need to stretch out and roam and explore. They generally have no need to burn off energy, and in fact it is detrimental for them to burn off energy because that leads to needing more calories to replace the energy. Reptiles are the ultimate in energy efficient.

Your snake does not need suplemental exercise. In fact, the act of constricting and eating prey requires quite a bit of strength and energy. Can you imagine tensing all the muscles in your body for 10-15 minutes at a time? And then proceed to swallow a watermelon whole with your hands tied behind your back. :)

Well obviously this is an exaggeration, but you get the idea. Your snake will probably not get fat even if you never take it out of its cage and feed it once a week. If you feed your snake an appropriate sized meal once a week, they will be perfectly healthy weight wise.

So, supplemental question to the original. My bp doesn't tend to wander much, which I realize is normal but sometimes he just goes on a real field trip around and around his tank, even after he's eaten. This is generally regardless of season, but I considered he may be searching for a mate.
Random slithering-sprees are not a bad sign for anything right? Unless he's freaking out from being too hot, or is otherwise acting unnaturally (acting sick) which he has never had a problem with.
Oh, and he also does this when the window is open and he senses pressure change/breeze. Seems to want to go out the window during summer!

In my opinion, Ball pythons love to stay in their hide, in this they feel secure. In order to digest they need the right and proper temperature and I think this is enough for them but it would not hurt if they do roam around or handle them. Hope this helps! But I am not quite sure this is only in my opinion. :):D

captivity for snakes is kinda like marriage, you can get a lil lazy and you will still be loved, healthy and takin care of.

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Originally Posted by pavlovk1025

Little treadmill, about 2 feet wide with high sides. They sell them at PetCo, the snake's slithering powers it and it can slither endlessly. And it's like 79.95 in the back by the pet food.

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Are you kidding? Like a hamster wheel for snakes? You're totally kidding, right?

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Are you kidding? Like a hamster wheel for snakes? You're totally kidding, right?

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Who would kid about something as serious as snake exercise?

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

All the footage and commentary on ball pythons in the wild talked about them being in their termite mounds with very very few exceptions. So they were not spending time "roaming around a lot". Since they ambush rodents in the termite mounds, they don't need to hunt down food, they are not even built for chasing prey. So moving around exposes them to predetors AND alerts prey items that there is a snake around. Also they would be giving up a satisfactory hide spot for an unknown. Another python could take their spot even if they did try to return, and they could possibly not find a ideal hiding spot and be left exposed.

Generally we should remember that pythons in general and ball pythons in particular are not mammals and especially not humans. They don't feel any need to stretch out and roam and explore. They generally have no need to burn off energy, and in fact it is detrimental for them to burn off energy because that leads to needing more calories to replace the energy. Reptiles are the ultimate in energy efficient.

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All the footage of ball pythons in the wild is shot during the day. They weren't counting the snakes at night--they wanted an accurate count, so they went out when they were asleep. On any given evening 1/3 of my ball pythons are bopping around, whether or not they're really hungry; you can bet the wild ones do, too.