Ball python natural habitats details, straight from a trapper in Ghana

I have a friend who has been living in Ghana for a few months and befriended some snake people involved in catching wild ball pythons, among other native snake species! Exciting stuff, he got deets on where ball pythons are found, straight from the trapper/exporter (named Gyasi) himself… I told him to ask for more exact percentages on where they're mostly found in Africa:

55% in “the bush” near ponds
25% under rocks
10% under trees when they are well fed/full
10% around trash areas (like literally in piles of trash apparently LOL)

No mention of termite mounds or “hiding in holes their whole life”, at least from this trapper. Go figure?

My friend also hasn’t seen very many grassland areas or open areas in Ghana at least where he is, even the drier areas have a lot of low-growing trees.

He went with his trapper group on a short expedition lately too, and that sounded exciting, getting to see the native range and habitat of these animals.

In conclusion: ball pythons have a very wide natural habitat range! They are not solely ambush predators like gaboons, and definitely not living in holes and hiding their whole life. Funny thing, the trapper mentioned nothing of holes or termite mounds himself haha. I think my friend brought up the "holes and termite mounds" thing, since I asked specifically about how this is always preached in the states, and Gyasi was just like "?????" If the holes thing is from other trappers, it must be only one very small part of how ball pythons live!

My friend is on this forum, but he never posted before. I'm trying to get him to eventually post a short journal and pics of the habitat and the various wild caught snakes there, it would be fun! (I've seen the pics already bahah)

Anyway, I think these are exciting and interesting details, because I personally believe at this point that the average keeper/breeder's knowledge that is constantly preached in the states on their natural habitat and living conditions are apparently quite skewed. And it's always nice to be more informed about the animals we are keeping and the way they are kept. The more knowledge, the better!

It's said that humans spend 1/4 - 1/3 of our lives sleeping. I see thousands of people every day, yet almost none of them are sleeping. I don't think this disproves that humans sleep that much. Perhaps I'm just not looking in the right places for humans at sleep. Perhaps these trappers are not looking in the right places for hiding BPs.

I have no idea what % of their lives BPs spend in termite mounds or holes. And I very much doubt that these trappers do either.

the numbers you present add up to 100%. Are we to believe that BPs only exist in the bush, under trees, under rocks and under trash pile and can never be found elsewhere? I would suggest that your friends anecdotal evidence adds nothing to our knowledge of BP natural behavior.

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Originally Posted by DennisM

It's said that humans spend 1/4 - 1/3 of our lives sleeping. I see thousands of people every day, yet almost none of them are sleeping. I don't think this disproves that humans sleep that much. Perhaps I'm just not looking in the right places for humans at sleep. Perhaps these trappers are not looking in the right places for hiding BPs.

I have no idea what % of their lives BPs spend in termite mounds or holes. And I very much doubt that these trappers do either.

the numbers you present add up to 100%. Are we to believe that BPs only exist in the bush, under trees, under rocks and under trash pile and can never be found elsewhere? I would suggest that your friends anecdotal evidence adds nothing to our knowledge of BP natural behavior.

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The percentages are obviously a general take on where the trapper finds his ball pythons, obviously? I'm not quite sure what has got you all riled up, when I'm just posting what the trapper has said.

Your "our" should be replaced by "you". And it's totally fine if you don't think it adds to your knowledge of BP natural behavior. No need to comment on my thread, just thought it was something to share.

Very cool, thanks for sharing the inside info!
I do agree though, just because the trapper(s) don't find them in holes doesn't really mean they aren't there but still, really cool to hear all the details!

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

10% around trash areas (like literally in piles of trash apparently LOL)

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Trash piles are probably fantastic areas to get an easy rat meal! :D

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Very cool, thanks for sharing the inside info!
I do agree though, just because the trapper(s) don't find them in holes doesn't really mean they aren't there but still, really cool to hear all the details!

Trash piles are probably fantastic areas to get an easy rat meal! :D

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I know they must be in some termite mounds and holes as well! I remember seeing another thread of someone who went to Togo, and they dug up a few termite mounds during the day, but they happened to find nothing at that moment. But shows that trappers do dig up termite mounds, so there are BP's there sometimes.

What I meant by my posting this was just that ball python habitat isn't only restricted to termite mounds/holes, but quite a wide range.

LOL I thought so too! Probably a lot of rodents hanging out in trash

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

The percentages are obviously a general take on where the trapper finds his ball pythons, obviously? I'm not quite sure what has got you all riled up, when I'm just posting what the trapper has said.

Your "our" should be replaced by "you". And it's totally fine if you don't think it adds to your knowledge of BP natural behavior. No need to comment on my thread, just thought it was something to share.

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that ^^^^

thanks for posting this. I have been clamoring for more info on actual habitat. this doesn't need to be scientifically exacting to be of interest. in my book, the more perspectives on their actual habitat the better.

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Originally Posted by Slither Seeker

thanks for posting this. I have been clamoring for more info on actual habitat. this doesn't need to be scientifically exacting to be of interest. in my book, the more perspectives on their actual habitat the better.

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Exactly! I thought it was super interesting info from a person who traps them for a living. I never knew ball pythons were so commonly found just chilling in some brush next to ponds, for one. And now I know they're often trash snakes. LOL

Very interesting information! Thanks for sharing. So who cares if some of these snakes are not found in their typical termite mounds, heck, my ball python isn't that typical either. He has some very unusual traits and characteristics and I find it interesting. He eats, sheds, pees, and poops just fine, so I must be doing something right!

Very interesting and I would like to see and hear more. It would be really cool to see pics.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I have a friend who has been living in Ghana for a few months and befriended some snake people involved in catching wild ball pythons, among other native snake species! Exciting stuff, he got deets on where ball pythons are found, straight from the trapper/exporter (named Gyasi) himself… I told him to ask for more exact percentages on where they're mostly found in Africa:

55% in “the bush” near ponds
25% under rocks
10% under trees when they are well fed/full
10% around trash areas (like literally in piles of trash apparently LOL)

No mention of termite mounds or “hiding in holes their whole life”, at least from this trapper. Go figure?

My friend also hasn’t seen very many grassland areas or open areas in Ghana at least where he is, even the drier areas have a lot of low-growing trees.

He went with his trapper group on a short expedition lately too, and that sounded exciting, getting to see the native range and habitat of these animals.

In conclusion: ball pythons have a very wide natural habitat range! They are not solely ambush predators like gaboons, and definitely not living in holes and hiding their whole life. Funny thing, the trapper mentioned nothing of holes or termite mounds himself haha. I think my friend brought up the "holes and termite mounds" thing, since I asked specifically about how this is always preached in the states, and Gyasi was just like "?????" If the holes thing is from other trappers, it must be only one very small part of how ball pythons live!

My friend is on this forum, but he never posted before. I'm trying to get him to eventually post a short journal and pics of the habitat and the various wild caught snakes there, it would be fun! (I've seen the pics already bahah)

Anyway, I think these are exciting and interesting details, because I personally believe at this point that the average keeper/breeder's knowledge that is constantly preached in the states on their natural habitat and living conditions are apparently quite skewed. And it's always nice to be more informed about the animals we are keeping and the way they are kept. The more knowledge, the better!

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I guess this better explains how all of my snakes including my current ball pythons have been able to survive with NO hides and not have nervous break downs for over 35 years. Found it also interesting in your article how these snakes were found with no expensive electronic thermometers, temperature guns, and 400.00 dollar thermostats and still surviving.

Good stuff and great post.

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

I guess this better explains how all of my snakes including my current ball pythons have been able to survive with NO hides and not have nervous break downs for over 35 years. Found it also interesting in your article how these snakes were found with no expensive electronic thermometers, temperature guns, and 400.00 dollar thermostats and still surviving.

Good stuff and great post.

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Red's post is a good post. All accurate information is good. It is compiled with other accurate information and then conclusions can be made.

Your post could be made in a constructive manner but as it is written it seems to be inflammatory and is frankly misleading to the many beginning keepers that frequent this site. A snake in the wild can select the environment in needs to be in to the extent that mother nature allows. A snake in captivity cannot. It is up to the keeper to provide the optimum environment.

There are many ways to skin a cat. I personally use quality equipment because I have a little bit of money invested in my animals and I have seen cheap equipment fail. I do have the experience that I could keep my animals without a heat gun, without a thermostat or much of the other equipment that I normally use on a daily basis. A beginning keeper does not have that knowledge so that means they either have to be lucky or buy the equipment to be successful. I use equipment because it is less time consuming and more accurate than doing it by hand.

Maybe you have developed a new and easier technique to keep your animals. I am always interested in better ways. Please let us know what that technique is rather than just telling 90% of the people that are on here they are wrong.

I can tell you this for sure. If you think ball pythons do not need a hide or the equivalent then you are not as experienced as you seem to think you are. You are just lucky. Out of the 50 or so animals I have there are only a couple of adults that have hides and those absolutely need them because if they do not they will not eat.

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

I guess this better explains how all of my snakes including my current ball pythons have been able to survive with NO hides and not have nervous break downs for over 35 years. Found it also interesting in your article how these snakes were found with no expensive electronic thermometers, temperature guns, and 400.00 dollar thermostats and still surviving.

Good stuff and great post.

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I appreciate the thought! I need expensive equipment though, to be able to simulate their needs in Africa, because the environment I live in is so different and unsuitable. The hides thing depends on the individual ball python, I also have one that just stops eating if I don't provide the hide.

What Jodan said is right, the wild provides them with the option of all these things, so each ball can choose what they need.

I know that in Ghana now, it's so hot! Always in the 80's or 90's, even at night is at least 70's. And the humidity is usually always 80% to 90%. So it's proper for ball pythons naturally.

I think only if you lived somewhere with this type of climate, you probably wouldn't need much equipment to keep ball pythons. You could prpbably just stick em in a glass tank and throw in some dirt, leaves, and trash (and hides and branches?) LOL

I don't keep 50 or 100 plus snakes for business purposes so I do have the luxury of interacting with my snakes on a daily basis. When I first began keeping snakes, it was a simple process and I have elected to keep it that way all of these years. With the advent of some pretty good stuff out there, I just didn't find the need nor did I fall in line to purchase the latest and greatest. My snakes are kept in Zilla 40 gallon glass tanks with 2 different wattage UTH's and a terrarium liner (indoor outdoor carpet). My liner gets changed daily. I have two in a rotation and have owned the same ones for a very long time. No worries on which substrate is best and humidity in my cage will run between 45 to 62 percent as I type this year round. Hides I have never used nor have I ever placed any of my snakes in tubs. I don't think tubs are cruel. The snake can't see. Snakes are an animal not unlike the rest of the animal kingdom. They will adjust to humans. I'm not saying tame as a dog adjustment. Would they like to have a hide? Sure but heck so would I at times but I've learned to adjust. My snakes get to see everything 24 hours a day and very quickly learn not to fear. Any snake I have ever acquired I will always attempt to feed on day 1 after I hold it for an hour or so. Over the years I would say my success rate has been 80%. By day 3, my success has been 100%. Keeping most snakes is not rocket science. I will admit some do have some very special needs. Any snake I have ever owned never required special needs. Has a snake ever died on me? Yes one, my first boa I got in 1980. It was wild caught and I have no clue how old she was when I got her but I had her for 20 years. I guess I did ok. The rest I have had over the years I have either given away to new snake keepers and the last two I lost went with 2 of my daughters when they moved out. I still have three teenagers at home and I have three snakes. Ain't looking good for me in a few years. Lol. One last thing, it isn't a money thing for me to not have the latest and greatest. I have seen WAY too many people get snakes then soon say damn this to expensive or too much work and get out of this great passion of keeping snakes. It doesn't have to be, only if you choose to do so. Now if I was a breeder, I wouldn't have typed all of this.

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

... Now if I was a breeder, I wouldn't have typed all of this.

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And if you were a breeder you'd have more than likely posted a link trying to sell your snakes right ...

here.

never underestimate the power of free advertising -
there are reasons why members have 10k+ posts

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Originally Posted by JoeNapoli

And if you were a breeder you'd have more than likely posted a link trying to sell your snakes right ...

here.

never underestimate the power of free advertising -
there are reasons why members have 10k+ posts

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No, they wouldn't because we do not allow advertising links on the open forums and, indeed, have limits even in the for sale section. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

I don't keep 50 or 100 plus snakes for business purposes so I do have the luxury of interacting with my snakes on a daily basis. When I first began keeping snakes, it was a simple process and I have elected to keep it that way all of these years. With the advent of some pretty good stuff out there, I just didn't find the need nor did I fall in line to purchase the latest and greatest. My snakes are kept in Zilla 40 gallon glass tanks with 2 different wattage UTH's and a terrarium liner (indoor outdoor carpet). My liner gets changed daily. I have two in a rotation and have owned the same ones for a very long time. No worries on which substrate is best and humidity in my cage will run between 45 to 62 percent as I type this year round. Hides I have never used nor have I ever placed any of my snakes in tubs. I don't think tubs are cruel. The snake can't see. Snakes are an animal not unlike the rest of the animal kingdom. They will adjust to humans. I'm not saying tame as a dog adjustment. Would they like to have a hide? Sure but heck so would I at times but I've learned to adjust. My snakes get to see everything 24 hours a day and very quickly learn not to fear. Any snake I have ever acquired I will always attempt to feed on day 1 after I hold it for an hour or so. Over the years I would say my success rate has been 80%. By day 3, my success has been 100%. Keeping most snakes is not rocket science. I will admit some do have some very special needs. Any snake I have ever owned never required special needs. Has a snake ever died on me? Yes one, my first boa I got in 1980. It was wild caught and I have no clue how old she was when I got her but I had her for 20 years. I guess I did ok. The rest I have had over the years I have either given away to new snake keepers and the last two I lost went with 2 of my daughters when they moved out. I still have three teenagers at home and I have three snakes. Ain't looking good for me in a few years. Lol. One last thing, it isn't a money thing for me to not have the latest and greatest. I have seen WAY too many people get snakes then soon say damn this to expensive or too much work and get out of this great passion of keeping snakes. It doesn't have to be, only if you choose to do so. Now if I was a breeder, I wouldn't have typed all of this.

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I appreciate the feedback you are providing, and I am replying not to attempt to correct you because I doubt you will change anything, but to make it clear to other keepers what has made this work for you and what gambles you have taken either knowingly or unknowingly.

What is he doing "right"? He is right, keeping these guys is not rocket science and I am continually amazed how people can screw it up. He pays attention to his animals. Many potential issues can be caught before they become a problem with frequent monitoring of your animals. He keeps them clean. This is a big one. Snakes are far less likely to become ill when kept spotless. He has somehow managed not to own and "sensitive" or "problem" animals. Many animals can be kept without hides especially as adults, but as many of us know, there are always a few that will not feed if they do not have hides. I actually do not disagree with trying to feed an animal immediately. In my experience about 50% will eat on the first go.

What is "risky"? Unregulated heat sources can become nightmares and you can end up with some very nasty burns on your animal when one of those heat pads begins to fail. Reptile carpet is a bacteria breeding ground. This works for him because he cleans it all the time. The "latest and greatest" equipment is not required, proven and reliable equipment is. A sick normal ball python is going to have the same vet bill as a $3K morph.

The irony of this whole thing is I don't "need" equipment either outside of a room thermometer. I could probably wing the whole thing if I wanted to. I could get away with a lot because I live in Florida. Temps are within acceptable ranges most of the year and humidity is always good. But if I did wing it, I couldn't go anywhere when temps are exceptionally high or low because I would have to be adjusting things by hand and I could never, ever go on a vacation.

Most people cannot or will not give their animals the amount of attention the poster is and do not have a developed eye for wrong and right. So please buy the equipment. If you cannot afford the equipment, do not buy the animal.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

If you cannot afford the equipment, do not buy the animal

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This. This. THIS

I'm often surprised how often I see people not regulating their heat sources and stating a thermostat is outside their price range (but looking into a second snake already).There are some equipment that are essential to their care, and although some people can find work arounds, there are still risks involved. It's up to the individual to determine how comfortable they are with those risks and managing them, however this can't work for everyone and shouldn't be encouraged.

ESPECIALLY for first time snake owners (this includes myself) even with research you can't take shortcuts! This goes double for ball pythons!

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I appreciate the feedback you are providing, and I am replying not to attempt to correct you because I doubt you will change anything, but to make it clear to other keepers what has made this work for you and what gambles you have taken either knowingly or unknowingly.

What is he doing "right"? He is right, keeping these guys is not rocket science and I am continually amazed how people can screw it up. He pays attention to his animals. Many potential issues can be caught before they become a problem with frequent monitoring of your animals. He keeps them clean. This is a big one. Snakes are far less likely to become ill when kept spotless. He has somehow managed not to own and "sensitive" or "problem" animals. Many animals can be kept without hides especially as adults, but as many of us know, there are always a few that will not feed if they do not have hides. I actually do not disagree with trying to feed an animal immediately. In my experience about 50% will eat on the first go.

What is "risky"? Unregulated heat sources can become nightmares and you can end up with some very nasty burns on your animal when one of those heat pads begins to fail. Reptile carpet is a bacteria breeding ground. This works for him because he cleans it all the time. The "latest and greatest" equipment is not required, proven and reliable equipment is. A sick normal ball python is going to have the same vet bill as a $3K morph.

The irony of this whole thing is I don't "need" equipment either outside of a room thermometer. I could probably wing the whole thing if I wanted to. I could get away with a lot because I live in Florida. Temps are within acceptable ranges most of the year and humidity is always good. But if I did wing it, I couldn't go anywhere when temps are exceptionally high or low because I would have to be adjusting things by hand and I could never, ever go on a vacation.

Most people cannot or will not give their animals the amount of attention the poster is and do not have a developed eye for wrong and right. So please buy the equipment. If you cannot afford the equipment, do not buy the animal.

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:gj::gj::gj:

GREAT POST. Very well said, good sir!

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I appreciate the feedback you are providing, and I am replying not to attempt to correct you because I doubt you will change anything, but to make it clear to other keepers what has made this work for you and what gambles you have taken either knowingly or unknowingly.

What is he doing "right"? He is right, keeping these guys is not rocket science and I am continually amazed how people can screw it up. He pays attention to his animals. Many potential issues can be caught before they become a problem with frequent monitoring of your animals. He keeps them clean. This is a big one. Snakes are far less likely to become ill when kept spotless. He has somehow managed not to own and "sensitive" or "problem" animals. Many animals can be kept without hides especially as adults, but as many of us know, there are always a few that will not feed if they do not have hides. I actually do not disagree with trying to feed an animal immediately. In my experience about 50% will eat on the first go.

What is "risky"? Unregulated heat sources can become nightmares and you can end up with some very nasty burns on your animal when one of those heat pads begins to fail. Reptile carpet is a bacteria breeding ground. This works for him because he cleans it all the time. The "latest and greatest" equipment is not required, proven and reliable equipment is. A sick normal ball python is going to have the same vet bill as a $3K morph.

The irony of this whole thing is I don't "need" equipment either outside of a room thermometer. I could probably wing the whole thing if I wanted to. I could get away with a lot because I live in Florida. Temps are within acceptable ranges most of the year and humidity is always good. But if I did wing it, I couldn't go anywhere when temps are exceptionally high or low because I would have to be adjusting things by hand and I could never, ever go on a vacation.

Most people cannot or will not give their animals the amount of attention the poster is and do not have a developed eye for wrong and right. So please buy the equipment. If you cannot afford the equipment, do not buy the animal.

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Reptile carpet a breeding ground for bacteria that is changed daily and disinfected daily??? Hmm, I guess I need to change to ground up organic materials that are kept moist and not changed on a daily basis to appreciate a more sterile environment. That way maybe I can experience my first respiratory infection I see posted on a frequent basis.

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

Reptile carpet a breeding ground for bacteria that is changed daily and disinfected daily??? Hmm, I guess I need to change to ground up organic materials that are kept moist and not changed on a daily basis to appreciate a more sterile environment. That way maybe I can experience my first respiratory infection I see posted on a frequent basis.

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If you want to discuss the sanitation of reptile carpets vs. other substrate, maybe you can make a new thread for this? It's not much related to my thread about Ghana trappers finding ball pythons anymore, I think.

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Originally Posted by Momokahn

Reptile carpet a breeding ground for bacteria that is changed daily and disinfected daily??? Hmm, I guess I need to change to ground up organic materials that are kept moist and not changed on a daily basis to appreciate a more sterile environment. That way maybe I can experience my first respiratory infection I see posted on a frequent basis.

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• I appreciate the feedback you are providing, and I am replying not to attempt to correct you because I doubt you will change anything, but to make it clear to other keepers what has made this work for you and what gambles you have taken either knowingly or unknowingly.
• What is he doing "right"? He is right, keeping these guys is not rocket science and I am continually amazed how people can screw it up. He pays attention to his animals.
• Reptile carpet is a bacteria breeding ground. This works for him because he cleans it all the time.

No where is Jodan challenging you or saying you need to change methods, they were pretty upfront about replying for the sake of other/new keepers. If your methods work for you then great! But Jodan was addressing the pro and cons to new/other keepers in general, which is very informative for owners looking at different methods. So definitely not a personal attack on your husbandry! So don't worry I think we're all more interested in the cool natural habitat trapper results of this thread :)