Just for the purpose of clarification, I do not use fish tanks. I use reptile cages made by RBI and measure 3x2x1. My ball pythons have never escaped from any of these cages nor do I notice any level of activity that could be interpreted as frenetic, searching for an out, or stressed. I agree that racks and tubs are for keeper convenience.

I am not convinced that ball pythons only live in termite mounds. I understand that gravid females are often found there, and this makes sense from a security (survival of the gene pool) position. I have also read a couple of scientific papers that showed ball pythons living in other habitats as well- including mangrove swamps!

Therefore, I can only conclude that these snakes are fairly adaptable; as with most animals.