Entertaining your BP

Do you guys do anything to play with or entertain your BP? Do they even get bored or respond to any stimulation?

Besides handling them no. I doubt they are even capable of being bored.

Play = stress

Hiding = A happy BP

Once every week or two though I do put a rat in for them play with, that seems to entertain them.

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Originally Posted by Adam Chandler

Play = stress

Hiding = A happy BP

Once every week or two though I do put a rat in for them play with, that seems to entertain them.

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I see this posted all the time and while I agree with this I also think it's a bit of a generalization. My BP for example loves to be handled and take trips out of the tank.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

I see this posted all the time and while I agree with this I also think it's a bit of a generalization. My BP for example loves to be handled and take trips out of the tank.

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X2!
I have seen a "maze" for ball pythons...they had to "hunt" to find the rats. Was very interesting and entertaining. They are smarter than most people give them credit for!

I do NOT believe that handling is stressful for a snake that has good husbandry and was frequently and gently handled while young. Look at the body language of your snake. If it ball up or assumes a strike position and freezes in terror when you take it out, then it is stressed. If is leisurely explores, it's fine.

I will often hold my snake while I watch TV, and I will ruffle a blanket so that she can crawl through the folds, so she still has a secure feeling while exploring. She has NEVER balled up on me, nor she has she ever been aggressive, so she is either exceptionally brave or exceptionally well adjusted.

The point is, your snake should never be out of its home for HOURS, but if you have gently and patiently "socialized" it, then short handling sessions shouldn't bother it at all. The great thing about ball pythons is they have a very clear way to communicate that they are stressed or fearful that gives them their name. Your snake shouldn't fear you unnecessarily. It should view you as neutral: not edible, but not threatening, therefore largely uninteresting.

Yeah, if you want a snake that thrives on handling and interaction, get a boa. An RTB as they often don't like going back into their enclosures lol!

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Originally Posted by Rusky

I see this posted all the time and while I agree with this I also think it's a bit of a generalization. My BP for example loves to be handled and take trips out of the tank.

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Originally Posted by mikeandsheleen

X2!
I have seen a "maze" for ball pythons...they had to "hunt" to find the rats. Was very interesting and entertaining. They are smarter than most people give them credit for!

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I'm certainly not arguing that BP's are smarter than people give them credit for, however I think mazes, handling and trips out of the enclosures only entertain us, not the BP's. Their brains are just not wired for 'fun' and stimulation like ours are.

There is nothing wrong with taking your BP out once and awhile as long as it is not excessive. But I do not think this helps the BP in any way, only you.

My bp loves to hang out on my lap when i am reading or playing video games. i dont think she is bored in her tank, but i know she likes to lay on me for my heat. One time my room come busting through my door; my girl rushed into my shirt. My room mate never saw her so he flipped when he saw her head poke through my collar, i guess she wanted to see what the hell is going on.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

I see this posted all the time and while I agree with this I also think it's a bit of a generalization. My BP for example loves to be handled and take trips out of the tank.

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There's a name for that anthropomorphism ;)

Back to the original question they are not dogs or bird etc that will.bond or play with their owner or required stimulation.

No, my ball pythons have never shown any fondness for stimulation...their behavior indicates more stress when they're exposed to novel situations, or their routine is broken.

My Oscar fish, on the other hand, does appear to enjoy mental stimulation, and he's a riot to watch when you add a new decoration to the tank.

The only thing my ball pythons appear to enjoy is eating and breeding, alas. They also like fresh water. That's pretty much it.

The only other stimulation I can think of besides the ones others have mentioned would be rearanging their tank. One of my bp is in a tank and every couple of months I'll switch out different hides or just switch the hides sides. Also i have some fake plants in there that suction cup to the side of the tank which she usually feels the need to knock down lol. Other than that no not really any stimulation like mazes or anything lol.

That's one of the appeals for me about snakes....they don't need "love". XD I don't have to feel guilty if I don't take them out for a few days. I have dogs to love on instead!

Bruce the leopard gecko seems to enjoy "exploration time" outside of the tank, though. ;) He'll crawl right on my hand to come out.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

The only thing my ball pythons appear to enjoy is eating and breeding, alas. They also like fresh water. That's pretty much it.

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And how exactly are they that much different from humans? :P

There is a term called "enrichment" that actually fits this bill. Enrichment comes in many forms - handling for some, cage decor for others. For ball pythons, you could enrich their lives by providing a more naturalistic cage setup. Try different substrates, hides, waterbowls, different branches and wood for them to climb on.

Now, ball pythons have shown they can survive without these things, so they're not absolutely necessary, and not all ball pythons will enjoy this kind of thing the way others might. If you have racks upon racks of snakes, sure, this isn't exactly feasible, but if you only have one or two, why not devote a little bit of time to provide them with a more interesting environment to live in?

-Jen

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Originally Posted by KatStoverReptiles

And how exactly are they that much different from humans? :P

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Humans also like TV and video games.

I give mine balls to chase, squeaky toys to chew on, a running wheel to do flips in and I also teach them tricks. :D

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

I give mine balls to chase, squeaky toys to chew on, a running wheel to do flips in and I also teach them tricks. :D

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No no no. We're talking about ball pythons, not your kids. ;) hehe!

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Originally Posted by KatStoverReptiles

No no no. We're talking about ball pythons, not your kids. ;) hehe!

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Oh, silly me. What was I thinking?! :rolleye2:

My snakes get a furry thing with a long tail, that makes them do a fast catching movement, then it rolls up around them and doesn't move for quite a few minutes. Then my snakes do a disappearing act with it, cause its gone when I check back.

My python likes to stare me down. Also eating. I can't tell if she likes it, but when I'm holding her, I pet her and she contracts her body and flicks her tongue at me. Also she will wrap around in a perfect circle while I'm doing this... every time. She doesn't try to escape when I do this either. Quite the interactive baby ball.

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

Oh, silly me. What was I thinking?! :rolleye2:

My snakes get a furry thing with a long tail, that makes them do a fast catching movement, then it rolls up around them and doesn't move for quite a few minutes. Then my snakes do a disappearing act with it, cause its gone when I check back.

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So you mean the rat plays Hide-And-Go-Seek? It hides, then you find it when the snake poos. ;)