Question.

[karissa.melanson01]

Okay so I have a ball python named titanaboa. She is 3 years old. I used to have her in a 30 gallon tank where all she would do it hide in her little rock cave. Today I moved her into a 40gallon hoping she would be more active but all she wants to do is hide in her rock cave. She eats well but only if I put her food Infront of her little cave. If I put the rat anywhere else she doesn't want it. My question is does anyone know why she is hiding so much?

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[Galaxygirl]

A hiding ball python is a happy ball python. Unfortunately switching things up to make her come out will only result in stress for her. Ball pythons are not social and they live in abandoned termite mounds, tucked away from predators. At night time they typically leave the hide, but other than that they're happiest where they're snug and secure. If the rest of her enclosure is too large and spacey with nowhere to hide (I'm not familiar with tank sizes), that will also discourage her from venturing out of her hide.

[GoingPostal]

Ball pythons hide-it's pretty much what they do all the time. Your snake should have two snug identical hides-one on the warm side and one on the cool so she doesn't have to choose security over proper temps. Fish tanks are very exposed and open for a snake, if you covered the sides and back with dark paper and add some greenery/cover to the inside she would likely be more comfortable but generally they only come out at night or when they are hungry.

[Zincubus]

Mine are all in vivs and I put loads of branches and bark pieces in and around the hides as well , it gives them more hiding places which equates to more security . They LOVE climbing as well so don't believe all the 'lazy snakes' cr*p .

[Hannahshissyfix]

Ball pythons prefer small, safe feeling enclosures so moving into a larger tank will only have the opposite effect of what you want. Try to really clutter it up and make sure your temps and humidity are correct and she may be a bit more adventurous.

[M.P.C]

Like others have said you dont want an active ball python, thats a sign they arent happy with their home. As long as they are hiding they are happy

[Zincubus]

??????

[Zincubus]

Like others have said you dont want an active ball python, thats a sign they arent happy with their home. As long as they are hiding they are happy

Are you 100% sure about that last sentence ??

[M.P.C]

No they arent literally happy because balls dont have emotions like happiness and sadness, try not to take things so literal. But what we do know is a hiding ball python is satisfied with its enviroment and not stressed out... Aka what we as humans consider happy

[Slim]

Surely any newbie / novice reading that post will get worried if their Ball / Royal is having a natural mooch around in the evening .

Could be why it got your knickers all up wrapped in a bunch...



To the OP, I certainly hope you're picking up on the meatier comments in this thread. I've kept and cared for Ball Pythons for a number of years, and I've discovered two things about them:

1) They are a shy species who seem to show less stress when they are hiding in a tight, dark spot where they can thermoregulate as they see fit. Yes, they are nocturnal and tend to be more active after the sun goes down. Sometimes they get out of their hides every day, and sometimes they almost never roam around. Why? Those reasons are usually only known to the snake in question.

2) No matter how many BPs you keep and how much you know about them, one will come along and do weird stuff that will invalidate rule number one.