I'm not sure I would agree that "they climb because they like to". I'm more into the thinking of "they climb because they want to get out".
I believe that a hiding bp is a content and safe bp. An exploring bp... is either stressed out/hungry/looking for the escape route.
I completely believe that tubs are better for bp's than tanks because there's not as much stuff to mess up on. I have maintained 4 decked-out display tanks for 2 years and I've gotten it down to a science. It is hard work. Now that we have 7 bp's... I can't maintain them all. So, I'm keeping the 3 babies in their tubs until I figure out a better alternative.
Below is an image of my stressed bp on a tree. She was our first snake and the store owner said she'll do well in the giant exo-terra tank... cost me an arm and a leg but I thought it was what they needed! That was before I learned what ball pythons are. The snake was constantly climbing the tree trying to get out. She was a finicky eater, shed in pieces, very nervous (goes into strike mode at the drop of a hat). I finally moved her to a 20gallon long and she was a much calmer snake then. Never climbed the tree since. She started eating like clockwork. The kids love handling her - she was very docile after we got her all situated properly. And yes, we don't see her much in the tank anymore. She stays hiding majority of the time.
Stressed out strike mode!
If you check out my avatar, that's my other snake in a 20gallon climbing his tree. That was his first day in that enclosure. He climbed the tree for the first 2 days and then settled down after that - you rarely see him then. He's either in his hide or crossing to the floor to get a drink or move to the other hide. That's the only time you see him. He is now in a 30gallon and still, you rarely see him. My kids handle him almost everyday, but once he is back in his enclosure, he is back in his hide. So really, that 30 gallon space is nothing but eye-candy for me. Sure not doing that bp much difference.
Anyway, that's just my experience from my tree-climbers in my meager 2 years of owning snakes.
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