Because big open spaces makes them more susceptible to predators. Thus they are insecure and afraid of big open spaces. If your big enclosure wasn't properly fitted with clutter and hides, a snake sure can stress from being afraid and insecure. That stress and insecurity can lead to unnatural hunger strikes, which can lead to more health issues and potentially death.Originally Posted by cheaversg
Ball pythons spend 90% of their time holed up in rodent burrows and termite mounds. Very very small spaces. The typically sit waiting for prey and journey out to find another burrow or mound to wait and ambush new prey. Or depending on the season, leave to breed. If all their necessities were provided, I doubt they would move much as someone also mentioned.
But in general, they're not exploring the great African grasslands if that's what you are implying. Ball pythons are a shy species. They prefer to hide and thrive in small spaces, which is why they make terrible display animals.
With that said, a large enclosure can work if you can provide the necessary requirements like make sure the large enclosure is full of clutter and hides. The point is to make sure it doesn't make the snake feel open or vulnerable. Its that feeling of insecurity that is bad and not necessarily the size. However, a lot of large enclosures usually aren't decorated correctly and leave a snake out in the open. You don't want an insecure snake. That just makes them go on a hunger strike and become more defensive/nippy.
My ball pythons don't get large enclosures. But even if they did, my personal animals wouldn't utilize the space. I've tried it. They're in their hides every time I check up on them. They don't even utilize the space I provide them. Maybe one out of 10 at the most. My BPs only come out of their hides to eat, shed, or thermoregulate. But other than that, they spend the majority of the time holed up in their hides. They're not given the name 'pet rocks' for a reason. I give my other species larger spaces because I know they would utilize such spaces and aren't as sensitive to stress or enclosure size as ball pythons.
And when upgrading enclosure sizes, some of my more sensitive BPs have gone off feed and only started eating again when put back into a smaller enclosure.
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