Ball Python Strength

[Sonny1318]

I did boas for years, before becoming ball python exclusive, lol. Yeah these little guys (I have all males) are nothing. I had an argentine boa that pulled my knee to my arm once a little more then I cared for, now that was strength and a rush. Lol, But joking a side They seem pretty strong for their size. I won't use heavy hides. I have a spider who likes to push his hides to the top of the tank when he knows it's feeding day. And I use large zoo med corner dishes, and they push those around like no problem. My Enchi pin lost/damaged a couple head scales once lifting his bowl, thankfully he healed fine.

[cletus]

I think they have a pretty tight grip but nothing compared to a boa or any of the larger constrictors. Even taking the size into consideration I don't think they compare. Boas seem to be in a constant state of "flex". All muscle. My two ball pythons are so different from each other other. The male is constantly stiff and never seems to relax. The female is like a limp noodle. She doesn't ever seem to be nervous or tense and pretty much lets you do anything to her. Having said all that, they do get the job done. I have no doubt they could dispatch anything relative to their size. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a hungry constrictor that wanted to eat me. It would be bad...

[Craiga 01453]

That's called sublimation. Boas do it more so than BPs. I've never read about the reason why. My guess is that they are trying to stay in check with an anchor point, especially if it is moving. Kind of like how we airplane wing our arms trying to keep balance on a beam.

My Kingsnake does this a whole lot more than my BP. I enjoy it, feels like a little massage, especially when he's around my neck!

[redshepherd]

I try my best not to make them feel the need to grip so tightly. Usually when they do, it's because they feel unbalanced and like they're going to fall off my hand/arm. so I just direct their head back toward a hide or somewhere they would want to go, and they'll move off. I don't forcefully pull their bodies off, because that usually just makes them grip tighter.

My dumeril's even naturally has more muscle than my ball pythons though. Ball pythons often feel soft and wimpy when they're relaxed (lol), but my dum feels "harder" even when relaxed. (lol again) When a friend came over and my dum was just chilling on our laps, she commented that she likes my dum the best, because she can feel the muscle.

[Kaorte]

I agree with others about their grip being NOTHING compared to a boa.

I have vivid memories of trying to peel a BCI from a metal shelf.... oh god.. it took so long.

[cletus]

I went to a show yesterday and was able to handle a Retic. He was about 7 feet or so. Those guys define the word "muscular". lol He was pretty docile but it was clear that he could do what he wanted. lol It's official. I want an SD Retic.

[Zincubus]

I went to a show yesterday and was able to handle a Retic. He was about 7 feet or so. Those guys define the word "muscular". lol He was pretty docile but it was clear that he could do what he wanted. lol It's official. I want an SD Retic.

I have to agree , I have a male Snow Boa approaching 7' and whilst he's so calm and gentle he's just soooo STRONG !!!

Oddly enough, I seem to recall being surprised by the sheer strength of my adult BRB few years back ...

[JodanOrNoDan]

I have a one that consistently does the ripple thing. I will take him out sometimes after I get back from Kendo to give me a good neck massage. He earns his keep.

[Goddess of the Moon]

My girl is loves to wrap my neck and just sit there. If you get out your phone she will pose for pictures then hide her head under my hair. But if anyone but me touches her she tightens up, but if I lightly stroke her she loosens up. I have full trust I her fully wrapped around neck. She never fully tightens thee. But she will wrap around my arm and over my shoulder and will full out constrict. Thank fully she loosens if I stroke her.