Ball python enrichment

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask what others do for snake enrichment. I've seen puppy pens with all sorts to roam in. I am looking for ideas when we have our corn and BP out while chilling on our laps on the couch. We don't let them near each other. We don't want to place them in a pen but would love to keep them stimulated while out with us.

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Originally Posted by Lomu

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask what others do for snake enrichment. I've seen puppy pens with all sorts to roam in. I am looking for ideas when we have our corn and BP out while chilling on our laps on the couch. We don't let them neat each other. We don't want to place them in a pen but would love to keep them stimulated while out with us.

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Just having them out with you is plenty of stimulation for them. You don't need to do anything in addition to that.

I only have BPs but, if they're ok staying on my arm/shoulder I'll walk around the house and let them look at and sniff things. They really like this but be aware they'll potentially grab doorknobs and coat hooks and things as you go by, I also have to be careful not to whang their heads on the doorframe as I go by. If they're not into being held I let them crawl around on the couch or the floor under very close supervision. One thing they do like is being turned loose on a bookshelf, because they can explore in there (and knock everything off the shelf) and still be in kind of a contained little area. The thing about snakes I've found is if you think to yourself "well that whole area's pretty safe as long as he doesn't climb up on the surge protector" the very next thing the snake will do is beeline for the surge protector, lol. Luckily balls move quite slowly and are too chunky to fit into any small hole, I imagine turning the corn loose would be much more stressful.

Enrichment and such depends on the snake as well... so definitely monitor your snake the first few times to make sure they're not stressing out more than being interested in things. I have a girl that I lovingly refer to as a 'tub dweller' because she prefers tight small tubs and hates any type of activity that involved being 'out'. Sometimes I'll just sit with her in a pillowcase for out and about time.

The zip up dog/rabbit /baby play pen things are great because as long as the zipper isn't loose, there shouldn't be a way for your snake to get out and go missing.

I've seen people do different sized hol-ees for dogs, different logs, rocks and such. Crumpled paper, cardboard boxes. Just some neat stuff for them that can fit in the pen.

Otherwise I have seen some neat jungle gyms set up for more arboreal species, but heavy bodied ball pythons don't really benefit from that.
I've seen a couple people do the bin full of orbeez if they need to help a snake shed as well as do enrichment because of the burrowing they can do. Or a deep tub of substrate, but that's less common

Thanks for the guidance and posters. I have also heard of those balls. We looked at a few petshops but couldn't find one. Will look online.

Yes...agree that them just being out is great stimulation and seeing things. Our corn snake is at the point now where he comes out when we open the glass in the evening and is very eager to be interacting with us. Our BP is settling and will get there I'm sure.

Really enjoying our 2 snakes. Thanks for the ideas.

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Originally Posted by Lomu

Thanks for the guidance and posters. I have also heard of those balls. We looked at a few petshops but couldn't find one. Will look online.

Yes...agree that them just being out is great stimulation and seeing things. Our corn snake is at the point now where he comes out when we open the glass in the evening and is very eager to be interacting with us. Our BP is settling and will get there I'm sure.

Really enjoying our 2 snakes. Thanks for the ideas.

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:gj: But I really wouldn't advise using a Hol-ee Roller ball for a BP, because where their head goes, their wider body can get very stuck & you'll have to cut them loose, which could be quite dangerous for your snake. Better to shop for those in person too- to make sure the holes are much bigger than your snake.

BPs are a little harder to entertain, because they don't explore so much- they're not active hunters & wait for darkness to ambush their prey. They're actually quite vulnerable to predation themselves when out in the open, so I wouldn't over-do it- you can stress them out without meaning to.

Corn (& other rat snakes) like to climb, so fake trees or anything with similar arrangements (like some types of coat racks, for example) can be good for them. Some people build a "jungle gym" out of bamboo poles tied together with ropes, or out of PVC pipes joined with the "elbows" sold to join them. Ladders can also work pretty well.

I have seen this product on Esty that is like those hol-ee roller balls but it's plastic and attached to a base and it has larger holes made specifically for snake enrichment. They also have multiple sizes available depending on the snake but either way the sizes leave plenty of excess space so the animal doesn't get stuck. I've thought about purchasing one because Beans would love to crawl and sleep on it but it's expensive!

That is true...
Honestly though, I'm one of those people who follow the guidelines that ANY item you're putting in with your snakes should be checked for holes or spaces they can get into or injured on regardless of hol-ee roller, rocks or fake logs. And continued to be checked on as the grow. I wouldn't use the hol-ees for my adults but babies and small juvies seem to enjoy them. Not sure what you could consider for adults.

I've never had much luck getting mine to clamber around on anything, they really prefer the ground. Like people said it doesn't need to be anything too complicated, they do get overwhelmed very easily so small changes can be stimulating enough - they're very focused on their sense of touch, so putting down clean towels or blankets with different textures for them to crawl over can be plenty for them. My male is very into this sort of thing and enjoys things like fleece blankets or fuzzy pillows, but the female finds this kind of texture unpleasant and will go away from it quickly (she also hates crawling on body hair so I always wear long sleeves for her sake). You can let them look at different things and see what they seem to respond to.

Will check that out.

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Thats a good idea.

I totally agree with moderation and knowing your snake. We don't want to overdo it or cause any stress. I just noticed with our corn snake that he was eager to explore. If our BP is quieter and just wants to chill then thats fine.


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Originally Posted by plateOfFlan

One thing they do like is being turned loose on a bookshelf, because they can explore in there (and knock everything off the shelf) and still be in kind of a contained little area.

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My BP also loved the bookshelf. He liked to hide behind the books.

A very informative post!

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Originally Posted by Homebody

My BP also loved the bookshelf. He liked to hide behind the books.

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I have yet to meet a snake that doesn't enjoy clearing bookshelves! :rofl: I think it's in their DNA?

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Originally Posted by plateOfFlan

I've never had much luck getting mine to clamber around on anything, they really prefer the ground. Like people said it doesn't need to be anything too complicated, they do get overwhelmed very easily so small changes can be stimulating enough - they're very focused on their sense of touch, so putting down clean towels or blankets with different textures for them to crawl over can be plenty for them. My male is very into this sort of thing and enjoys things like fleece blankets or fuzzy pillows, but the female finds this kind of texture unpleasant and will go away from it quickly (she also hates crawling on body hair so I always wear long sleeves for her sake). You can let them look at different things and see what they seem to respond to.

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That reminds me- most snakes do love to explore our bedding- especially when it's rumpled & can be dug under- but I caution you NOT to do this on your own bed, just in case the unthinkable happens (ie your snake has to expel wastes). Instead, use some old towels or blankets in a confined area. They also sell blankets made with a waterproof layer inside that's expressly for protecting your furniture from "accidents" with your dogs & cats (they never think about snakes, haha).

In fact, I just ordered one for my living room couch that I share with my 2 dogs- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFXSSTV9?th=1 This would make a perfect "bottom layer" to put some old towels or blankets on top of for snakes to explore, & they come in many sizes. Very practical & not pricey. I don't have it here yet but I expect to like it.

Thanks for all the ideas!!! I saw at the petshop those twirly rope hanging toys for parrots. Was thinking of hanging it then securing it to a base so it doesn't move.

I have an artificial vine in the corner of our BP viv. Would placing a something like the above become a danger? The vines aren't strong enough for Lomu to climb through and wanted something he could cling to within the vine. I also thought of those lizard hammocks that are woven. Place it behind the vine. Thought he may like it.

I also had an idea...I used to own an African grey headed parrot...bought him with wing and beak disease..gave him the best I could. He had a fab parrot stand. One could alter that into like a play area. Could silicone bark or something onto the base then have a hammock and something on the tree for enrichment when we take them out. Just a thought...

BPs are not good climbers- so I don't picture them climbing a rope- maybe in & out on a ladder though, the kind they sell for birds & such. Make sure anything that's woven doesn't have ANY holes your snake can get stuck in, because I promise you he'll find them AND get stuck.

Ok thanks...yes...never realised how mischievous they are then they get themselves into a fix. Lol

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Originally Posted by Lomu

Ok thanks...yes...never realised how mischievous they are then they get themselves into a fix. Lol

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They don't mean to be- they actually clear bookshelves because they're grabbing onto things for traction, & not being logical, they don't mean to push everything "off a cliff"- but they do. :D

As far as getting stuck in holes- remember they evolved in nature, where there are very few, if any, natural holes where they can get stuck. Then humans come along & drop 6-pack rings, & put up all kinds of bird netting, chicken wire & chain link fencing, & in captivity, give them "toys" (like fake skulls & Holee-roller balls) with openings they cannot go all the way thru, especially with "a meal on board". I don't believe snakes are capable of visually assessing such risks to avoid them- at least most of them aren't- so we -as their keepers- have to be sure we keep them safe in our world. Evolution just didn't prepare them for human-made hazards.

That makes sense.

I really enjoyed watching the Dave Kaufman adventure. What the hunters had to say makes so much sense as well. I tend to forget that animals have the sense to survive so holes aren't part of that survival skill set from being in the wild and living in a hide. The hunters had a point in saying that BP go up into the trees when it floods but otherwise stay in a burrow they have found. Being born and raised in South Africaut was fascinating to see how they live in environments the same as South Africa minus the higher heat levels. It gets hot down South but nothing like up near Ghana. I worry that Lomu gets bored at night. Shaka our corn snake I can see needs to be kept busy. He is really keen to explore etc so will keep changing things up and then when he is bigger will make something like a climbing course for him or something. Lomu might like to just chill.

One thing that rat & corn snakes enjoy is natural branches to climb, with baskets wired on of the appropriate size for above-ground platforms- some will sleep in them too. :love: It takes time for snakes to accept & use new things though, just remember that. Much like when you hang up a new bird feeder outside- they don't trust it right off.