Cage size

[B-fish]

Why is it that if your ball python is a hatchling, it can't be housed in a big enclosure. It doesn't make sense to me because in the wild they have ton of space and it never effects their stress level, but in captivity it does?

[LeviBP]

That's true, but if they are in an enclosure, obviously they can't get out. As they feel around the tank a few times this is practically realized, so if they are in a bigger tank, they don't feel as safe, since there is likely to be more open space instead of things to hide in. In the wild they normally find burrows in the ground and termite mounds to hide in, but are normally pretty well hidden. I wondered about this myself for a while, but it really comes down to the awkward realization that BP's love to be in a "snug" environment. Helps them feel safer.

[Alexandra V]

Thing with the wild is that they'll be able to find a nice enclosed space to hide in, and they'll stay in there to feel safe. The wild is full of tight hiding spaces for them to go into, so they don't have far to go when they're looking for another place to hide.

In a tank (or whatever you're putting it in) there are only two hides for it to go in, and it has lots of space that it has to travel to get to it's water or to get to the other hide and that'll seriously stress it out because it feels completely exposed just to be able to get to the hot side of the tank.

[B-fish]

Ohh I understand now, thanks alot.