Quote Originally Posted by Homebody View Post
Oh, joy! A debate! So, you say that a ball python would choose security over freedom. If this is so, then why bother to lock the enclosure? I think we can all agree that a ball python is safer in its enclosure than out of it. If this is so, then the ball python should choose to remain there.
Healthy debate lol. I was actually going to say I bet I could leave my enclosure open and find her in the same spot the next morning. I take her out to clean, minute I set her near the enclosure afterwards straight back into the hide. I’d love to keep her out longer and let her roam. But she wants to be in her safe spot. Would some leave, probably. But you have to ask why? Where would they go? What are they looking for? As mentioned, they are ambush predators. They perch at the opening of their burrow and wait for prey to walk by. They don’t “hunt,” they’re fat and slow. They may leave to chase some tail. They may leave if they’re hungry. They may leave if they’re insecure. We address that by feeding regularly, providing optimal temperature, and including appropriately sized hides. I don’t think they have the conscious thought to “explore.” Everything they do is based around survival and reproduction, not recreation. If you are meeting those needs, I don’t think they’d want to leave.


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