Are ball pythons even [I]slightly[/I] arboreal?

[Skiploder]

I definitely agree with this... I think it's one of those things where some people would understand saying bps are semi-arboreal, but that technically speaking it is not an accurate descriptor. I don't know much about this, but are any snakes actually considered "semi-arboreal" technically speaking? It seems like arboreal is one of those black or white kind of subjects...please correct me if I'm wrong!

They climb trees. It has been proven that they efficiently climb in order to take prey in trees. This is a fact. Whatever label we put on them at that point is moot, the fact remains climbing is more natural to them than being put in tupperware drawers.

The argument that they don't climb or aren't proficient at climbing has been thoroughly debunked.

At some point recognition has to be made that many of the breeders who keep their snakes in tubs and feed them the same meal over and over again are providing only the bare basics of what is needed - namely opportunities to thermoregulate, security and food.

What is advocated in the name of conserving space and making husbandry as efficient as possible is not necessarily congruent with how these animals live. It is a fact that they climb, and they have a varied diet.

So when someone asks if they can keep a ball python in an enclosure with opportunities to climb, the answer is yes. Provide thermoregulation areas, provide security and provide the rest of the required husbandry parameters and then adding some branches isn't going to present a risk or an unnatural situation for your snake.