My ball python has an green tree boa complex

[Zincubus]

I actually think it's funny when I read people calling them 'pet rocks' as they do nothing ... then they post a photo of the set up which is a small tub , one hide and a bowl of water on a piece of newspaper - "what the hell are they expecting them to do !"


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[JeanTownsend]

I actually think it's funny when I read people calling them 'pet rocks' as they do nothing ... then they post a photo of the set up which is a small tub , one hide and a bowl of water on a piece of newspaper - "what the hell are they expecting them to do !"


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Exactly!!! They have no room to do anything!

[zina10]

I find it rather sad how some "rack only" or "cage only" sides have to continue to put the other one down.

I have been keeping Ball Pythons for 18 years now, I used to rescue a lot of them, too. Many imports, many were usually kept in sub standard conditions. Sick, infested, starved or just neglected. This is what introduced me to "tubs" because of quarantine and "sick snake" tub enclosures. It was amazing how those snakes would just improve and thrive. Even the ones that were not sick.

Also, I have kept my own personal animals in both cages as well as racks/tubs. Way back in the day, even in glass tanks. I'm a STICKLER for research and observation and taking good care of my animals. I have also kept other species of reptiles and snakes.

I can say without a doubt that in my experience Ball Pythons do far better in correctly set up racks/tubs then in most cages. It is quite offensive to say that people keeping them in racks/tubs simply don't have space for cages, don't have the money for cages or simply don't care. I beg to differ. I only have 6 snakes at this time. Very precious to me, not to mention valuable. One is in a "Display" cage, but I keep him in there mostly for "MY" enjoyment, not because he is "happier" in there.

I absolutely have the space for 5 stack-able nice cages and I have the money for it. I certainly care for my animals. I find they do better in tubs. That doesn't mean that the tubs are to small, or have no hides. That doesn't mean that they never get to come out. I chose to keep them in there for THEIR sake, not mine.

In the wild you will find them mostly in "open" and arid land. Grass lands or sparsely forested woodlands. Fields. Usually hiding in rodent burrows or termite mounds. Anywhere small, dark and hidden. They are mostly terrestrial, but will seek out trees. When found in trees, it is usually in tree hollows. They are looking for hides, even up there. Sometimes there are no termite mounds to be found, nor unoccupied rodent burrows. In the wild, Ball Pythons do not live in thick or lush forests. Young snakes will climb more readily and are also better at it. In captivity they often climb to get closer to a heat source such as the heat lamp. Or they are trying to find a different habitat, trying to "move elsewhere". True, sometimes they just explore. Maybe hunting, looking for a mate, checking out each part of the enclosure.

I used to have thick sturdy branches in my 4 foot cages (as well as hides, cover, correct heat and humidity) As the Ball Pythons got bigger, they used those branches rarely. Sometimes I would hear a loud WHAM in the middle of the night, I would get up and one of the adults had fallen of the branch, still "righting" themselves. Those branches were only about 6 inches off the ground at the highest, and they WERE sturdy, but adult and heavy bodied Ball Python make very poor climbers.

I don't buy into that "enrichment, climbing for fun and exercise" kind of thing. Not with Ball Pythons. Not after observing them for years in different scenarios. If Ball Pythons are out and about its usually for a good reason (not leisure time). Either they are getting ready to seek out food, they seek a cooler or warmer spot, or something bothers them. Sometimes they look for a mate. Something got moved about or they were handled and look for a "safer" spot.

To say a finicky Ball Python turned into a better eater after being moved to a large cage, I do not believe that at all. Its usually quite the contrary. Move them to a smaller and more private space, and you might get a finicky snake to eat. Given that husbandry is correct and there are no underlying issues, of course.

Can cages be made to work for Ball Pythons ? ABSOLUTELY !!! Glass tanks are difficult, but do-able. Actual cages are much better. And its awesome to see them move about in a beautiful setting. However, how often does one see an ADULT Ball Python in a beautiful decorated, lush, big cage ? You would have to have a very big cage to keep it looking like it did when they were small, because they bulldoze everything to the ground once they have size. I have a 3000 gr adult in a display cage. There is "deco". There is a wooden shelf for him to get up on. But its kept simple and sturdy. He spends a lot of time in his hide. To me, that is a good sign and he eats well and seems content. When he "wanders" is when I try to figure out what he "wants" or what is bugging him. To make a nice, naturalistic cage for a BIG Ball Python, with deco, wood, branches and greenery I would need at least a 6 foot cage. Everything would need to be very sturdy. The plants would have to be fake, or they will be destroyed. Even the fake ones need to be fastened and will likely need to be re-arranged quite often. Such a cage would be beautiful, no doubt. But honestly, if I want to go through that trouble I will pick a snake species that is active, and makes frequent use of all the space (not just out of stress). One that ENJOYS all that space, rather then prefers to be snug in a dark, hidden space.

There are SO many "papers" and articles on Ball Pythons. One can choose and pick parts of them, but you should always read the entire thing. To much was written by people that got their information from a myriad of sources, and not all of it right. I read an article that sounded really interesting. Until I got to the part of how Ball Pythons are "easy" to sex by length of spurs and size of head...There is a lot of mis-information out there, a lot of it from people that tend to anthropomorphize all kinds of animals.

To me, proof is in the pudding. If a Ball Python eats well, sheds well, is healthy, beautiful and breeds readily, then you have a content and healthy specimen.

It can be done in cages, it can be done in tubs. To say that Ball Pythons only hide and hang out in tight dark spaces for the majority of their time because they are kept in "prison tubs" is ridiculous. Enrichment is different things for different species. For some it means entertainment and fun. For others it means safety and privacy. Look at it from the species point of view, not from what you feel is right.

I'm still very tempted to add a couple amazing display cages to my house, for my enjoyment and the beauty of it. I will pick a snake species that enjoys such a space. One that likes to move around a lot, doesn't mind to hang out "in the open". I will continue to leave the majority of my beloved Ball Pythons in the rack and tubs.

To the people that prefer to keep them in cages I say, good for you. If it works for you and your snake, why not ? If you provide proper husbandry and your snake thrives, awesome. My male in his big cage is doing well. But until you've tried both methods, and both of them on a few animals and for a few years, don't assume one is superior over the other, or that one may be more neglectful or stressful to the animal then the other. That is simply not the case.