Ball python that thinks its a tree snake! :)

[snakesRkewl]

I used to think it was cute too till they fell several times, I only use tubs now.
Hearing 1900 gram snakes fall in the middle of the night isn't pleasant
Tanks are pretty but tubs keep them in better husbandry IMO

[ms381]

I used to think it was cute too till they fell several times, I only use tubs now.
Hearing 1900 gram snakes fall in the middle of the night isn't pleasant
Tanks are pretty but tubs keep them in better husbandry IMO

Ok, if can assume that aboreal snakes are not going to fall of branches etc as thats how they have best evolved. So then are we offering ball pythons something that is not natural to them, as someone above mentioned there natural environement that doesnt have any trees or shrubbery to climb. So bp are not good climbers?

In my opinion i think its better to at least give the snake the option to climb and in the wild they would surley come across more challenges and danger than a small fall from a branch in a tank.

I assume the husbudary issue depends on the person really, if you like a tank setup its going to take more time but if thats what you like and want to put the effort in it could be a good option good to get chatting with u on the thread

[anatess]

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.

[Swingline0.0.1]

Since they are not great climbers, I do not offer the option. Sometimes you will see a thread about an injury a bp has gotten from falling and hitting their head, spine, etc. It can indeed be detrimental to the snake if he does fall. Since snakes can not tell us if they are in pain, it is up to us be be very observant, and make sure they are safe!

[ms381]

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.

The picture of the stressed snake is really interesting to me. This is my first snake and although i researched ball pythons for a year, nothing compares to owning one.

So going back to the picture, when i saw mine at the top of my tank (mentioned in the first comment) this was his posistion?

I will just clear up some things and then hope you can advise on whats best.

My tank is large BUT have made it smaller, hence the use of the exo terra fake wall which he climbs up to. Its 60 cm w and about 30 cm wide, maybe a bit to large but i have covered alot of his vision so he wont feel to stressed (hopefully).

I have two hides, 1 cool 1 warm and a small log thing that acts as a hide in the middle, i aslo have fake plants that i assume his using also to get to the top of the wall.

One question: do you think i should remove the wall and plants so theres no chance to get up there?

One comment: Im offering alot of hidding space for him so the options are there to hide if his stressed or feels threatend, so i assumed him going up there and being active was a good sign. However seeing your picture, thats how he was when at the top?

Edit: He only goes to the top of the cage at night (apart from the first introduction to the cage), last two days his been tucked up his warm hide during the day and most of the night.

[[]$(@R]

Wow i didnt know that her moving was bad so my goal is have her in her hide all the time? Ive never heard of that but im new to ball pythons so idk i have to see where im going wrong.

[pixie6710]

lol my snake mali seems to think i am his tree. every time i pull him outta his tube he will wrapp around my arm and make his way up to my neck, wrap around my ponytail and strech out really far up in the air and wave slightly like a car intena. then when my guy comes up to me to hug me or to talk to me he get's into S curve till my man walkes off, then mali gose right back to pretending he's a intena. it's cute.

[Generationshell]

They shouldn't spend 99% of the time in the hide but a large majority of it. They like to feel secure and hidden. And even though being active can be a sign of stress it can also just be the snake exploring at night, getting a drink, or just hungry. I wouldn't say a snake climbing a branch means its super stressed at all.

[kitedemon]

I am not at home currently but I do have respected references for climbing ball pythons, that can and often will if given a chance. Nothing is wrong a ball python that spends some time exploring and or climbing whatever. Mine spend a few hours day 3 days a week doing stuff outside the hides a day or two after feeding days... The range of natural behaviour is restricted. My balls in tubs behave differently that the ones in naturalistic enclosures. I am not saying unhealthy just they don't display the same range. I believe that a ball python that hides 99% of the time is not normal either and when I am home I can provide references for this as well.

[ms381]

I am not at home currently but I do have respected references for climbing ball pythons, that can and often will if given a chance. Nothing is wrong a ball python that spends some time exploring and or climbing whatever. Mine spend a few hours day 3 days a week doing stuff outside the hides a day or two after feeding days... The range of natural behaviour is restricted. My balls in tubs behave differently that the ones in naturalistic enclosures. I am not saying unhealthy just they don't display the same range. I believe that a ball python that hides 99% of the time is not normal either and when I am home I can provide references for this as well.

Thanks kitedemon, i will look forward to reading those for sure when you post them also thanks for the help with on my other thread i posted about my setup and temps, alls fine now with the temps and the habistat thermostat is working well

I havnt tried feeding henry yet, i will try on sunday so i dont know if the climbing is a sign of stress. I suppose if he feeds on sunday, i will leave him to his climbing as its not high and doesnt seem to pose any danger for him.