Do BPs need exercise?

[stratus_020202]

Actually, I'd be interested in hearing a comment from one of the vets, biologists or a herpatologist. For example, we all know that dogs & humans need exercise to stay healthy. What's different in a BP's physiology (cold blooded?) that allows it to stay healthy with little or no exercise.

I'm not a vet, biolobist, or a herpatologist. We eat 3 times a day (more if there is chocolate around), bps only eat once a week (or less). We don't feed them more because they have a very slow metabolism. That's why they sleep a lot.

I think in the wild it's hard for a bp to find a good, regular meal (since thier diet is limited to mostly furry things). So, they have evolved to use less energy, to eat less.

That's my way of thinking

[Toronto Python Gurus]

I'm not a vet, biolobist, or a herpatologist. We eat 3 times a day (more if there is chocolate around), bps only eat once a week (or less). We don't feed them more because they have a very slow metabolism. That's why they sleep a lot.

I think in the wild it's hard for a bp to find a good, regular meal (since thier diet is limited to mostly furry things). So, they have evolved to use less energy, to eat less.

That's my way of thinking

Makes sense to me!

[Jenn]

I don't know about "needing" exercise. But when you look at it the other way around it's pretty interesting.

I have both tanks and tubs. Most of my snakes are quite happy in tubs, but I have a few who clearly prefer larger tanks. All of my BP's that are kept in the larger tanks (more room to "exercise" on a nightly basis) are very active when held. Whereas most of my BP's kept in tubs (less space) are not nearly as active when handled.

[Simpson Balls]

Oh yea, all the time. Everyday I put them on the treadmill. They just love it!

Daniel

[trott]

I would think all living things need some movement or excercise as well as instinctual brain stimulation(yeah, i work in a laboratory). Or do we get snake veal ?
I throw mine in a 40 gal breeder that's set up like a forest so they can cruise around and explore for about an hr.I only do this at night during their natural waking hrs. Every now and then i'll throw a rodent on the other end. I do this once evry couple of weeks.

Of course i only have 8 bps. If i had like 50 it would be tough.

[Eventide]

I don't think they need exercise, but it certainly won't hurt them! I like to let mine cruise around (while supervised) sometimes. Like someone else said, it's fun to watch them...and how the other critters react! (The beardies bob at them; the geckos just watch with interest.)

[loonunit]

Yeah, what Trott said. I have 9 BPs, and I usually take one or two out per day and let them tool around the bookshelf or whatever; they're also sharing tanks, 3 each to a 60 gallon tank.

But I'll have to break down and start using racks pretty soon. This setup is pretty sweet, but it's just not practical for a large number of animals. And I'm very curious to see if there will be behavioral differences between the well-socialized animals and the tub dwellers.

[atvracer87]

i let my bp(boris) excercise 4 days a week(if it wasnt for feeding i would let him everyday.i do it because hes explorer and jsut loves being able to climb on chairs and stuff istead of moving around a terrarium.i think he prefers to excercise.i even set up obstacle courses for him with pillows and other soft stuff. so ya i think they need excercise just to be able to get out of thier enclosure for a bit

[GoBoilers]

Since we're going there...



Betty trying to figure out how to work the elliptical with no arms or legs...Heehee, I needed a place to put her while I cleaned out her enclosure (I had NO idea a 350g snake could produce a dukie bigger than my cat's...

[BPelizabeth]

I would think all living things need some movement or excercise as well as instinctual brain stimulation(yeah, i work in a laboratory). Or do we get snake veal ?
I throw mine in a 40 gal breeder that's set up like a forest so they can cruise around and explore for about an hr.I only do this at night during their natural waking hrs. Every now and then i'll throw a rodent on the other end. I do this once evry couple of weeks.

Of course i only have 8 bps. If i had like 50 it would be tough.

that is a really cool idea....