Entertaining your BP

[Rusky]

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

[The Serpent Merchant]

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

[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.

[Rusky]

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.

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.

[King's Royal Pythons]

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.

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!

[Emily Hubbard]

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.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

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!

[Adam Chandler]

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.

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'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.

[Taylordan4th]

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.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

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.

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.