Ball python basking

I know most people say ball pythons dont need a light for basking, and most cage designs i see dont incorporate lighting. Well, my ball python seems to enjoy basking, she will climb up on a branch under the light and coil up or lay out basking.

So, i was just wondering if anyone's ball python frequently bask

Usually not hiding is a sign of stress. Not accusing you of anything, but maybe there's something wrong with your husbandry?

yeah, as first i tought my bp liked its light...but it was my husbandry and once i fixed it she never want back to the "bask" spot...more so cause it was gone but there was still a light, she's a happy hiding snake tho. I suggest you post pics of your setup so we can rule that out if your stuffs all good

Well for the past month she has been in her hide most the time, just recently has she been moving around the cage and laying up on the branches, nothing has changed in the cage to induce stress. I didnt realize not hiding was a sign of stress, but i guess that could be the case, I will try to post picture later.

Basking is a completely natural activity for snakes. Yes, ball pythons hide mostly during the day time "light hours" however, they are known to emerge at dusk and dawn, and sometimes during the midday hours to "warm up".

Not hiding should not be confused with stressed activity where the animal is constantly moving in it's cage attempting to escape all day long...

If you provide an ample set up, with hides, heat, water and security, you will see your snake more readily interact with her environment in a more "natural" way. ;)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Basking is a completely natural activity for snakes. Yes, ball pythons hide mostly during the day time "light hours" however, they are known to emerge at dusk and dawn, and sometimes during the midday hours to "warm up".

Not hiding should not be confused with stressed activity where the animal is constantly moving in it's cage attempting to escape all day long...

If you provide an ample set up, with hides, heat, water and security, you will see your snake more readily interact with her environment in a more "natural" way. ;)

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The only times she seems to do it is late in the afternoon, she will move around under the branches then climb up on top, not sure if she stays there all night cause I turn the light off, to let the temperature in the cage drop a little. She is in her hide most of the day.

Do you have two hides so that your snake can thermoregulate properly without having to hang in branches?

Also, there shouldn't be a night drop in temps. Ball pythons don't need one and they are better off without one.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Do you have two hides so that your snake can thermoregulate properly without having to hang in branches?

Also, there shouldn't be a night drop in temps. Ball pythons don't need one and they are better off without one.

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How exactly, are they better off without one?

Oh, I certainly agree a night temp is unneeded for many situations, but why is it BETTER to not have one? ;)

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Originally Posted by LawfulChaos

The only times she seems to do it is late in the afternoon, she will move around under the branches then climb up on top, not sure if she stays there all night cause I turn the light off, to let the temperature in the cage drop a little. She is in her hide most of the day.

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Sounds like normal behavior for a snake given overhead daytime heat. :gj:

As long as she is healthy, eating and thriving, it sounds like your set up is working for her and you. ;)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

How exactly, are they better off without one?

Oh, I certainly agree a night temp is unneeded for many situations, but why is it BETTER to not have one? ;)

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Probably should have worded that differently. It won't hurt them and it is not better for them.

If the bottom if the cage is too cold, he may be trying to get closer to the heat to thermoregulate his body temps. Make sure your heat along the BOTTOM of the cage is adequate.

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Originally Posted by grim reaper in NY

If the bottom if the cage is too cold, he may be trying to get closer to the heat to thermoregulate his body temps. Make sure your heat along the BOTTOM of the cage is adequate.

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Agreed. They do draw heat by their belly. Do you measure your temps from the bottom of the cage?

Wow this thread got long fast. The reason i asked this was because im building a new cage for her and was trying to determine if i should incorporate a light or not.

I will try to answer some of the questions brought up

No she does not have 2 hides only 1, but in the new cage she will have 3. Her hide and warm side of the cage are plenty warm. The heat light is on the cool side of the cage its only a 50watt and dosnt heat up the cold side much at all, its a 50gal tank. She used to to do it a lot then over winter she stopped and just stayed in her hide, now that spring is here she has started doing it again.

She is a furocious eater.

As far as the drop in night time temperatures in its really only a small drop and the belly heat dosnt change at all just the ambient temperature on the cold side.

The posts get long quick here simply because everyone here is so helpful and just want to make sure each and every pet is taken care of properly. ;)

Yeah and I appreciate it very much, better then most forums