Ball python still climbing walls and trying to get out

[Caitlin]

I do a lot of active training, enrichment, and behavioral work with most of my snakes. I didn't want to suggest this until I was sure, based on your other responses, that your snake's basic needs were being met - because failure to provide adequate temperatures, humidity, and safety (via hides, clutter, etc.) can also result in a snake constantly trying to escape.

As others have pointed out there's also a bit of a judgment call in terms of assessing whether this is just normal nighttime 'prowling' behavior by a curious young snake or if he's actually needing something more. The wall-climbing and pushing do indicate that this is more than just normal nighttime activity.

Is there any way you can offer him something similar to the long log hide that he loved so much? Even just a long piece of cardboard, crumpled up paper towel, or even some leaves and branches might work. My snakes also like large pieces of cork bark (which comes in flat sheets). While it's important to offer him separate hides, it's also important to address whatever is stressing him - and at least some of these issues seemed to begin when his log was removed.

Every snake is different, and while Ball Pythons are typically shy, there are definitely exceptions. Many young snakes do best in smaller enclosures, but your guy sounds outgoing and confident. Let him out. Offer him exploration activities (supervised by you, of course) outside of his enclosure. This can be as simple as putting him in a large cardboard box with objects like rocks, branches, smaller boxes or cardboard tubes like the ones holding paper towels, soft pieces of material, and anything that the snake can climb in or on, or smell and investigate. This may provide him with the engaging activities he may want, and by observing him interact you can also get a better idea of what his preferences are.