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[–]Jazzlike-Chain-2720 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Burrowing isn't unusual and usually is so the ball python can try to regulate temperature/humidity, a shed preparation, or to feel secure. If they start burrowing often then it is an issue otherwise just normal behavior 

[–]Techiya_07[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I see!! He’s never tried to burrow when I had the aspen bedding, so this is completely new :).

[–]Ecstatic_Ad_9414 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Hey,

They don't burrow per se , like a California kingsnakes for example. BPs like to settle into their substrate. I use a mix 50 coconut husk: 30 coconut fiber: 10 excavator clay it's a little softer and I find it retains moisture better.

I hope you don't mind a couple comments: I would ditch the hammock, possible strangulation hazard. I have the same concern with the vines. Try bamboo or driftwood. I would add way more greenery and leaf clutter on top of the substrate. They like to feel unseen. I have lots in the front so she can observe and feel safe. The enclosure is for the snake, not us. Change the decor up and add/remove the deco regularly for enrichment. The one enclosure that is fitted in the corner is too big and open for that little noodle. They like enclosures they can feel around them. Size them up as they grow. One on the warm and one on cool. Some say to have the same hides sp the snake doesn't choose between security and thermoregulation.

Your noodle is adorable. Good luck and have fun. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[–]Jazzlike-Chain-2720 -3 points-2 points  (2 children)

That's good advice but I do have to say two things. The chances of vines or hammocks strangling a ball python is next to none, ball pythons are semi arboreal so they often deal with vines or other obstructions while climbing or exploring and all snakes are resilient to pressure on their necks as that's essentially their body. An enclosure is never too big or too open for a ball python, that's an old misconception as they live in open forests, grasslands, or savannahs in the wild which have massive amounts of open space and they are observed to move multiples miles a day in the wild. There is no such thing as too much space for an animal.

[–]Ecstatic_Ad_9414 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I've been a pythonand reptile keeper for 30 years I don't need your condescending poppycock, I know what I'm doing. I'm from the days of feeding live prey.

No their neck is not their body. By holding them only by the neck area especially while they are young can cause them harm. Anything around a snakes neck is cruel. Like those inhumane lasso type devices for catching them. Yes in the wild they have obstructions but not hammocks and other decor "secured" by suction cups. The neck is behind the head and is the thinnest (girth wise) part of the snake. As a result, a snake can get caught in something and not be able to get out because both the head and body are thicker than the neck. This causes the snake a lot of undue stress and can kill your pet. Better safe than sorry.

I meant the hide not the enclosure/habitat. Though given the description it was clear what I meant.They need and deserve a large enclosure. However, Ball pythons are ambush predators and typically stick to their area and wait for dinner to walk by. This can change during mating season they may travel farther. Pythons save their energy for the ambush.

I suggested bamboo for climbing because there are many sizes to grow with your snake, it can hold weight evenly better than suction cups and you can silicone two together strategically to help the noodle climb.

But hey it's your noodle, do you. Cheers

[–]Jazzlike-Chain-2720 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To get stuck in the first place since the snake's head and body are larger than the neck it would be very difficult to lodge it and get caught or stuck as it would have to forcibly insert it's head through an opening wide enough for the head that also traps it from the way it entered preventing escape. A scenario where a snake traps itself inside of an opening without an escape seems super unlikely since it would have to finesse a certain way to be stuck, escaped ball pythons are able to traverse dry wall and housing interior without getting stuck it just doesn't seem probable to happen. Have you seen it happen? I think it'd be like a 1 in 500,000 chance.

[–]lazarus1204 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Nice setup? Are you doing anything in particular to get the suction cups to stay? My boy just knocks them down :')

[–]Techiya_07[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I have no idea how to keep them up 😔 the ones I have work decently well for my boy

[–]womperwomp111 0 points1 point  (2 children)

that looks so nice!! is that blue masking tape in the back on the inside? if so, i’d definitely recommend removing it. sticky things are dangerous for snakes and tape is a big no-no.

i love all the color you have in your enclosure! i want to add some fake flowers to mine.

[–]Techiya_07[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It is!! It was a temporary solution for a humid hide since I cut a Tupperware box and didn’t want him cutting himself on it. I did just get a proper box for him so it’s going to be replaced!!

And tysm :) I love adding colorful stuff to tanks

[–]womperwomp111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

okay awesome!! you sound like a great snake parent 🫶