"Muscle tone" in ball pythons...?

[redshepherd]

How do people even give them exercise?

Climbing on arms and chairs, typical snake stuff other than sitting in a tub or on a hand, basically.

Ah I see what you mean! Well I assume that snake muscles work like those of any other animal. That is to say, they can maintain a healthy tone or they could atrophy. Well... By that logic, snakes would also be able to get buff maybe that's what those really chunky looking ones have got going on

And I doubt exercise is necessary for BPs as they are really not "designed" to do tons of strengthening exercises. They're just meant to sit and hide and sometimes get food/water. I can't imagine it being harmful to challenge them a little for a few seconds, though! Sometimes I get Donuts to curl around my hand/arm just because it's so cute and interesting. Extra cute points for curling her little tail around my finger!!

edit: I always forget to respond to all parts! Anyway, as for letting them wander, periscope, etc., I think that's really more beneficial for their mental stimulation than their physicality. But again I don't see it doing any harm as long as you don't keep them out and moving for excessively long periods of time.

Yeah, I figured that too. Well, all we can do is guess, I suppose!

When mine start to get a little... "fluffy"... I'll cut back on the food and if the weather is good they go outside to move around in the grass for a while.

Keep close to them if they do go out, as not only can they move rather quickly, but in my area I've noticed that the birds of prey (hawks) take a keen interest in them also.

^I have had experience in many hawks immediately taking an interest in small pets outside. :I