Quote Originally Posted by Eric Alan View Post
When you're referring to males climbing and catching, are you referring to all life stages of males? It would make sense to me that sexually mature males would display these active behaviors. However, it also makes sense to me that younger snakes would be more prone to hiding and ambushing rodents (and likely as many as they can reasonably snag) so as not to expose themselves to predators.
Eric, there are two studies in which birds were noted as substantial parts of a ball python's diet - mainly male. One study was based on the gastric contents (I've provided it before to people), the other was a study regarding denning behavior in which the behavior was noted as prevalent. I'd have to refresh my memory as to whether it was associated with breeding behavior - in which males forego denning and ambushing while actively seeking out mates- or some other behavior.