Just a little clarification - I'm not trying to say that everyone needs to let their snake roam around freely like I do. I acknowledge that not everyone has the time and/or suitable space to do so. I do, however, believe that anyone wanting to keep a snake should be able to provide it with an enclosure large enough for the animal to be able to engage in its full range of natural behaviors. In the case of ball pythons, that involves being able to stretch out fully, hide, climb and bask etc.
I really appreciate people like you, who not only give their ball pythons and other animals more than what other people do, but also view them as individuals. Each snake is different, and it's important notice their individual needs. One thing I love about my boy is how much he loves to explore , therefore of course I want to give him more of an opportunity to do so . I suppose it's harder when you have a hundred snakes to notice when one of them is unhappy. My snakes in general seem happy but I'm in the process of upgrading from a 40 gallon to a 5-ft long 4 ft tall enclosure. I am so excited!
Loving your BP videos. Your views are closely aligned to mine and it's wonderful to see someone expressing an interest in what's best for our snakes based on observation and understanding of biology. Can you imagine a world where the conventional wisdom was that dogs do not ever need to leave the house simply because people had never taken them for walks and seen just how important it is for their behavior? That's where conventional BP care is at. The reality is that no terrarium will ever be large enough for most BPs to live in forever. They will explore as much of the world as you let them and as long as they are safe doing so, they will benefit from it greatly. Many BP keepers are starting to discuss this subject, but the next great frontier will be when people start to realize that BPs are capable of thinking, feeling, and, do I dare say it, affection. They are not the robotic mindless machines many think of them as.
@@MatthewGleed very well put! Glad you view BP care the same way as I do, and it’s nice that some people within the hobby are starting to become more interested in evidence and welfare-based keeping practices - I hope the trend continues to grow
Thank you for making this video! I couldn't agree more with you. My BP is going to be upgraded to a 1.2 meter long terrarium end of this month (she isn't even fully grown as of yet and will be upgraded again as she keeps growing) but I am noticing that her 90cm long cage is not adequate anymore. She also has free roam of our home and she absolutely loves it! I can't stand the smaller enclosures... rather have more room and provide THEM with the option to utilise the space or not...
Superb video. Wondering how I could miss it (or any other vids of yours) until now. It speaks of my soul. Great content, observations and narration too! I have 16momth old female BP which is roughly 115cm long now in 140cm terrarium since her roughly 4th month. Because she is relatively young, she was fed once a week until couple month. By then, she usually spend 2-3day in hide digesting, then ramping up activity in the afternoons, evening and night with peaks before feeding (I don't keep fixed schedule, neither prey size, count and type). She did not show much glass surfing and we took her out roughly once a week. Then we extended period between meals and that resulted in more time for activities. Just past 1y of age I let her out more often and she did not want to stay in enclosure when I put her back. She started to do glass surfing and even pushing glass doors as she knew it can be opened. So I ended up letting her out more often and on her own. At this point I also thought for myself that 149x60x70cm is not enough. It lasted like 2month and now she is less interested to go out but happy to just have head out of enclosure. It might be that room temp of 21-22C is discouraging her and prefers to stay in warmer enclosure. Room was warmer in September when she wanted to go out more. Your plan to have snake friendly apartment(or whatever) sounds great. Unfortunately it is difficult to do for most I would say unless you live alone. I plan to build some exercise platform and let her (and my two carpets) out in garden in summer as much as possible for sure. Often I hear people saying that snakes are stressed when you let them out. Wondering how they know? I observe snakes often and because I have them since being juveniles, I can see a progress they make interacting with me or other members of family. If she was stressed, she wood ball up, hiss or try to run when I take her or have her out. That is not a case, often she crawls over me when I am in her way or just climbs me. She also never mistakes me for food regardless her hunger level. She is also very curious. Anybody who observes their snake and likes them would never close them into small racks! One doesn't need a scientific background to realize it either. Just going out to nature and observing animals and how things work there must be enough to say hang on, this can't be right when seeing snake closed in tight, bare space . I usually can't resist to let my snake out when she looks at me at the door of her enclosure. Looking forward how things will develop your side and what new observations will you encounter with your snakes. Good luck and lot of great time with your noodles!
Hi there, thank you for your extensive feedback! I love hearing other people’s observations on their snakes. Sounds like you really care a lot about your python! I also noticed similar fluctuations in activity in my snake. She will have periods of extreme activity, where she wants out almost every day, and periods of calm behavior, where she can stay in her enclosure for weeks. Last year, she was very active during the wintertime, despite my apartment “only” being heated to around 22 degrees Celsius. This winter she seems to be ultra-chill, not even bothering to stick her head out of her enclosure that often (previously she would want to do it almost every evening) and wanting out only around once a month. I don’t know if she has properly “settled down” or if it is a seasonal thing. She also eating less frequently at the moment. It might be because my apartment is heated to around 20 degrees this year, which might be too cool for her to go out. I agree that a well-socialized snake that is exposed to a suitable amount of enrichment from early on will not be stressed by being outside. The people who claim it stresses snakes out are usually those who keep their animals in ultra-minimalistic set ups, which results in physically and psychologically stunted animals. Of course, these animals will be stressed when they are suddenly taken from their environment and exposed to lights, movements, vibrations etc. I agree that it should be obvious that snakes need space based on their habitats and behavior in the wild, but I think people are very willing to cling to pseudoscientific myths like “they live in termite mounds all their life and only feel secure in tight, cramped spaces”, to justify keeping large collections of animals in tiny racks. It would probably be impossible for most of these people to keep that number of animals in set ups that meet all of the basic welfare requirements. And yes, I feel the same way when I see my snakes push against the glass of their enclosures. Keeping them trapped when I am able to let them out seems cruel. Best of luck with your snake as well!
I bought a former breeder male kingsnake that was born and raised in plastic tubs with newspaper as substrate and heat tape for warmth. I still keep him in a plastic tub and use a heat pad, but, he gets handled daily and allowed to roam free in my bedroom and is able to get direct sunlight also. He loves the freedom to roam and- I'd say- recognizes me. He will, insatiably, circle his tub with me in the room, but will be not do the same with anyone else. There's so much character in reptiles. PS. He also prefers to poop outside his tub....hence, I keep a very good eye whilst he roams around.
Can't wait to set my two up in bioactive enclosures, although i will be ensuring that the plants have months to establish so the babies can't immediately bulldoze them! Hopefully somewill be sturdy enough to climb, and have enough substrate to burrow! My female LOVES digging!
@@dillsnickle good luck with the setup, hopefully the plants will last! I’m also considering adding an area for digging, though mine seems to be more of a climber than a digger
Bit late to comment but my new ball python arrives in a week and it is amazing to see how they can behave when given proper welfare. I have a big viv + UVB for mine and am hoping to experiment with free roaming and buy a cat tree for her to see if she likes it. I'm glad your baby has such a good life with you
My snakes too will destroy their enclosures if they want to come out and I don't acquiesce. LOL. And kudos to blatantly stating what many people know, but no one wants to say out loud, that how you keep your snakes is not just about personal choices and doesn't affect the animals one way or another. The animals are affected, their whole existence is dependent on the care they are getting. Most "pet rocks" are in fact, traumatized animals suffering from learned helplessness. Anyone lucky enough to share their lives with one of these wonderful animals should do right by them.
Thank you! It's always nice to come across other people who not only agree with my comments but also the way I state them. I feel like there are quite a few people in the reptile hobby who have similar views on animal welfare, but, for some reason, tend to pull their punches when criticizing husbandry practices that are clearly detrimental...
A fascinating video, i love it! I just got my ball python and was told to keep her on a heat mat, but i got a deep heat projector when i saw your videos. Shes still relativley young (only 1100 grams) and in a three foot tank like your first tank. Im interested to learn how she will act as she grows, although right now im focusing on just getting her to eat. I also have a cat so free range movement will have to be restricted somewhat until we can move to a new place. My goal is to have an office space / art room and an upgraded cage, so that i can easily lock the cat out and let the snake explore if she wants.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Also happy to hear that you switched to a deep heat projector, I'm sure your snake will appreciate it :) best of luck with getting you snake to eat and the creation of a snake-proof room!
I saw some idiot say that they keep a ball python in a 20 gallon tank and will never upgrade it because “it’s a perfect size and a ball python that barely moves is a happy ball python”
You can keep me locked in a small room and provide meals and a toilet and i wont die, but that is literally prison. Just because ball pythons like tight spaces. Their thinking is like saying "my cat loves boxes, maybe they should live in them full time!" These are the same people who feed live because it is "natural". Clearly not interested in learning what is best for their animals.
wow this video I really enjoyed she loves to free roam. her enclosure big, but she's a big girl too. she w a nt happy you went on vacation .she so pretty. she lives to explore!
I really like your videos and insight! Ended up getting a deep heat projector for my ball python gal! We live in northern europe in a very cold house so I just cant get a heat lamp😅 My girl is still small, so she has a 90cm enclosure atm! She is at this time just around 50cm long so she is just a tiny baby!
Love your video❤ I use to have a rack but after a while I didn’t like it and starting to buy terrariums. They behave more natural in terrariums. I’ll will never use a rack again.
Very interesting, personality plays a massive role in indivual snake behavior. My reticulated python (6.5 foot) has never pushed unless she is looking for food, odd indeed
Interesting, retics are a really fascinating species! Do you let yours roam around often? I agree, personality definitely plays a role, and I think my ball python is probably on the more active side compared to others. Still, regardless of personality, I believe all snakes will benefit from an enriching environment.
I don't yet have a ball python, but I plan on getting one after my trip. However, I have done months of research, mainly because I kept seeing info about tubs and racks and that these were better. Although it didn't make any sense to me, but then, the people making these claims, couldn't provide any evidence and all they did was strawman the opposing view. As soon as anyone uses logical fallacies then they have automatically lost the argument in my eyes. I then found "Reptiles and Research" and realised that he was correct with the scientific evidence and the annecdotal of course which also can't be ignored. Tubs seem fine if you allow your Ball Python to come out regularly and explore, but I certainly would never keep them in a tub. I kept my Beardies "wrong" due to lack of research and trusting pet shops and I don't plan on making that same mistake again
I gave my baby hog nose a 50 gallone enclosure and he is always exploring. When hes an adult ill have him in a 4x2x2. To think people have them in 20gals their whole life is insanity
I've spent 4 hours reading about the research and researchers looking at the different behaviours of snakes. What I find is that a lot of focus is being kept on the "normal" or natural behaviour of snakes. And for my own conclusion after reading those articles and evidence they provide is that it's always going to be a compromise when you keep what is essentially a wild animal. Snakes, lizards are more "hard coded" than something like an intelligent mammal so unless you provide them with a 4 hectar back yard within their preferred climate it's not going to be optimal in at least some ways. For example I've seen a lot of arguments for live feeding within articles that argue against some of the current standards for keeping snakes. Personally I will not live feed my snakes. I would worry about the prey fighting back (What am I going to do, rip the teeth out of the rat and cut off the tips of it's toes first? Maybe that would be best for the snakes who eat them. I'm not saying it can't be, but I'll hard pass on that "option"), even if I'm not watching it (and I would because I would worry about the snake) it's still gruesome and from my entitled point of view as a human who buys pre-slaughtered meat at the market cruel for the little fuzzy who's getting eaten. What I would like is more controlled studies of snakes from the same broods or at least species being kept at different parameters and comparing the two. I haven't found too many great examples of those in the limited time I've spent reading up on it. At the end of the day these are pets to us. Do the best you can for your pet. Just don't go caveman on them and throw dangerous animals (Like rats, rats ARE terrifying, intelligent little monsters if you are rat sized, they are only cute to us because we are hundreds of times larger than them) in with your snake to keep it on it's toes. And no, they will not behave in the same exact way as they would out in the wild. They don't live in the wild, they live in wooden, concrete and brick boxes we call homes. It is simply not the same right from the get go. Even if they go out into your garden, unless you live in the African bush for ball pythons as an example, it's still going to be different from what they have evolved to thrive in. Side note, snakes are dumb. And they can't talk. You need to pay close attention to them to figure out what they need or want. I'm sure there are many things we don't understand about their behaviour yet and people doing research or trying to keep them in alternative ways will keep finding those out. And I'm sure people will spread misinformation because "It works for me" is a hell of an argument to some people.
I partially agree. However, your statement only covers two of the five animal welfare requirements. I’d also add “as long as you keep the animal free from distress and discomfort, in a way that lets it express its normal behavior”.
feel always bad for those bp kept in boring plastic racks.they need enrichment just like any living creature. good job Cathy. you give your bp a great interesting life 🙂
@@JoeSReptiles your racks look good, I wish more rack keepers would invest in set-ups like that! They are definitely on par with many "standard" enclosure set ups. However, imo the main drawback of racks is that they don't allow for much vertical space and it' s not really possible to install a top-down heat source or UVB, which is why I prefer terrariums.
My friend, these snakes literally spend their entire lives in holes in the ground waiting for a mouse to come by. My ball python has spent literal years in his enclosures without moving. Nothing wrong with giving them plenty of space, but they probably won't use it at all. I gave my little guy plenty of space (put him as a hatchling into an enclosure made for an adult) and I've never seen him use it besides the first week or month when he was trying to map what his home was like. After that, he just sat in his hides for 4+ years, so far. Nothing wrong with giving them more space, but I did this as an amateur and he didn't use it at all. Then again, I'm a relatively new snake keeper (5 years), so, maybe you know more than I do. I'll experiment a little bit.
My friend, no, they don’t - multiple studies on thousands of wild ball pythons over the years (including one where they stuck a radio tracker on the snakes and monitored them over a course of 5 years) have revealed that they are actually quite active in the evenings and nights. Not only do the pythons regularly come out of their burrows, they also climb. In the case of juveniles and males, birds actually make up a higher proportion of their diets than mammals. The whole “they spend their entire life in termite mounds” claim is misinformation that has unfortunately been perpetuated by the large segments of the mainstream snake keeping hobby over the last few years, as a justification for rack keeping imo. Regarding your observations, they are as valid as mine. As in, anecdotal evidence with a sample size of one. For all we know, our snakes could be outliers - I don’t know how you keep your snake in terms of your set up and what exactly his background is, which may influence how he interacts with his environment. As for me, I try to keep my snakes in a way that lets them express their full range of natural behaviors as determined by science, regardless of their personality - if they don’t seem to make full use of everything at least I know they have the option to.
I love your snake and how she's allowed to free roam your place I will be glad when my male ball python gets to be full size he's almost 3 years old and close to 2.5 feet currently and I've read they typically get to be 3 to 3.5 feet I'm honestly hoping he's going to be one of those special record sized ball pythons that get to be like 4 feet lastly I have finally decided to try the deep heat projector method of heating the warm side of my 40 gallon glass terrarium to see if it not only is a better heat source than the ceramic heat emitter that I've been using witch is 100 watts the deep heat projectors that I got coming are the 80 watt Arcadia brand I'm also hoping that he will be a little more active because of it I'm also thinking of getting the Arcadia ShadeDweller-Max Kit for him but will see how the heat project works first
Really like your videos. I believe that any space an animals is allowed into regularly becomes its environment/habitat. So yes, if they like to roam, they could be stressed being forced to stay in an enclosure. I do believe that any animals need enrichment, even insects (we had ants and they needed changes/challenges). I call (edit: too small) bins/cages, when animals can't get out of (edit: if they want to, some snakes will not want to get out, they have their own personalities, or there is risk/health reason not to), prison cells, and racks (with the minimum water bowl, solitary cells "holes". These animals are suffering in silence. You said it right, what do they have to do but stay there. They have only the bare minimum to stimulate their brains. Edit: I watch Lori and like her way of doing things with her snakes and try to better understand them. I have not trained my BRB yet. I have only one Brazilian Rainbow boa, 14 months old, and I am upgrading her enclosure to a 4'L x 2'd x 3'h. I know that I will have to upgrade again. In the meantime, she will have more hight to climb, which she enjoys. I will have the same problem when I will leave for holidays. It's easier to have someone to take care of my two cats and one dog, than it will be for my BRB. I don't know anyone who would want to come after 10 pm (when she is up) to let her out and back in her enclosure! Edit: I feel lucky that my snake wants to get out, I was hoping she would with time.
Thanks! I agree, any animal will benefit from enrichment! Sounds like you are taking good care of your rainbow boa. BRBs are a lovely species and one of my dream pets. And, yes, it is a lot easier to ask people to take care of animals like cats. I have no problem asking friends to come and check on the snakes, maintain their enclosures and give them water - but I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to supervise and handle a free-roaming python... To do that, I would have to write an entire instruction manual on what areas are safe for her to explore, how to handle her without stressing her etc. Also, I know some snakes are less active than others, but generally, I think that most snakes will go out and explore if you give them a chance - some might take a lot longer because they are shy, but even then I think it is possible for them to get comfortable enough to want out. My corn snake took over a year to become brave enough to come out of her enclosure when I was nearby and now she also wants to go out regularly (she gets put into a play pen because she's too small to roam freely).
Just a little clarification - I'm not trying to say that everyone needs to let their snake roam around freely like I do. I acknowledge that not everyone has the time and/or suitable space to do so. I do, however, believe that anyone wanting to keep a snake should be able to provide it with an enclosure large enough for the animal to be able to engage in its full range of natural behaviors. In the case of ball pythons, that involves being able to stretch out fully, hide, climb and bask etc.
I really appreciate people like you, who not only give their ball pythons and other animals more than what other people do, but also view them as individuals. Each snake is different, and it's important notice their individual needs. One thing I love about my boy is how much he loves to explore , therefore of course I want to give him more of an opportunity to do so . I suppose it's harder when you have a hundred snakes to notice when one of them is unhappy. My snakes in general seem happy but I'm in the process of upgrading from a 40 gallon to a 5-ft long 4 ft tall enclosure. I am so excited!
Thank you! Happy to hear you like my content :) That sounds like an amazing upgrade, hope it goes well!
Loving your BP videos. Your views are closely aligned to mine and it's wonderful to see someone expressing an interest in what's best for our snakes based on observation and understanding of biology. Can you imagine a world where the conventional wisdom was that dogs do not ever need to leave the house simply because people had never taken them for walks and seen just how important it is for their behavior? That's where conventional BP care is at. The reality is that no terrarium will ever be large enough for most BPs to live in forever. They will explore as much of the world as you let them and as long as they are safe doing so, they will benefit from it greatly. Many BP keepers are starting to discuss this subject, but the next great frontier will be when people start to realize that BPs are capable of thinking, feeling, and, do I dare say it, affection. They are not the robotic mindless machines many think of them as.
@@MatthewGleed very well put! Glad you view BP care the same way as I do, and it’s nice that some people within the hobby are starting to become more interested in evidence and welfare-based keeping practices - I hope the trend continues to grow
Thank you for making this video! I couldn't agree more with you. My BP is going to be upgraded to a 1.2 meter long terrarium end of this month (she isn't even fully grown as of yet and will be upgraded again as she keeps growing) but I am noticing that her 90cm long cage is not adequate anymore. She also has free roam of our home and she absolutely loves it! I can't stand the smaller enclosures... rather have more room and provide THEM with the option to utilise the space or not...
Happy to hear the video resonated with you and that you care so much about your snake! I’m sure she’ll thrive under your care 😄
I had almost an identical experience with my own bp. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Superb video. Wondering how I could miss it (or any other vids of yours) until now. It speaks of my soul. Great content, observations and narration too! I have 16momth old female BP which is roughly 115cm long now in 140cm terrarium since her roughly 4th month. Because she is relatively young, she was fed once a week until couple month. By then, she usually spend 2-3day in hide digesting, then ramping up activity in the afternoons, evening and night with peaks before feeding (I don't keep fixed schedule, neither prey size, count and type). She did not show much glass surfing and we took her out roughly once a week. Then we extended period between meals and that resulted in more time for activities. Just past 1y of age I let her out more often and she did not want to stay in enclosure when I put her back. She started to do glass surfing and even pushing glass doors as she knew it can be opened. So I ended up letting her out more often and on her own. At this point I also thought for myself that 149x60x70cm is not enough. It lasted like 2month and now she is less interested to go out but happy to just have head out of enclosure. It might be that room temp of 21-22C is discouraging her and prefers to stay in warmer enclosure. Room was warmer in September when she wanted to go out more. Your plan to have snake friendly apartment(or whatever) sounds great. Unfortunately it is difficult to do for most I would say unless you live alone. I plan to build some exercise platform and let her (and my two carpets) out in garden in summer as much as possible for sure. Often I hear people saying that snakes are stressed when you let them out. Wondering how they know? I observe snakes often and because I have them since being juveniles, I can see a progress they make interacting with me or other members of family. If she was stressed, she wood ball up, hiss or try to run when I take her or have her out. That is not a case, often she crawls over me when I am in her way or just climbs me. She also never mistakes me for food regardless her hunger level. She is also very curious.
Anybody who observes their snake and likes them would never close them into small racks! One doesn't need a scientific background to realize it either. Just going out to nature and observing animals and how things work there must be enough to say hang on, this can't be right when seeing snake closed in tight, bare space . I usually can't resist to let my snake out when she looks at me at the door of her enclosure.
Looking forward how things will develop your side and what new observations will you encounter with your snakes. Good luck and lot of great time with your noodles!
Hi there, thank you for your extensive feedback! I love hearing other people’s observations on their snakes. Sounds like you really care a lot about your python!
I also noticed similar fluctuations in activity in my snake. She will have periods of extreme activity, where she wants out almost every day, and periods of calm behavior, where she can stay in her enclosure for weeks. Last year, she was very active during the wintertime, despite my apartment “only” being heated to around 22 degrees Celsius. This winter she seems to be ultra-chill, not even bothering to stick her head out of her enclosure that often (previously she would want to do it almost every evening) and wanting out only around once a month. I don’t know if she has properly “settled down” or if it is a seasonal thing. She also eating less frequently at the moment. It might be because my apartment is heated to around 20 degrees this year, which might be too cool for her to go out.
I agree that a well-socialized snake that is exposed to a suitable amount of enrichment from early on will not be stressed by being outside. The people who claim it stresses snakes out are usually those who keep their animals in ultra-minimalistic set ups, which results in physically and psychologically stunted animals. Of course, these animals will be stressed when they are suddenly taken from their environment and exposed to lights, movements, vibrations etc. I agree that it should be obvious that snakes need space based on their habitats and behavior in the wild, but I think people are very willing to cling to pseudoscientific myths like “they live in termite mounds all their life and only feel secure in tight, cramped spaces”, to justify keeping large collections of animals in tiny racks. It would probably be impossible for most of these people to keep that number of animals in set ups that meet all of the basic welfare requirements.
And yes, I feel the same way when I see my snakes push against the glass of their enclosures. Keeping them trapped when I am able to let them out seems cruel.
Best of luck with your snake as well!
I bought a former breeder male kingsnake that was born and raised in plastic tubs with newspaper as substrate and heat tape for warmth. I still keep him in a plastic tub and use a heat pad, but, he gets handled daily and allowed to roam free in my bedroom and is able to get direct sunlight also. He loves the freedom to roam and- I'd say- recognizes me. He will, insatiably, circle his tub with me in the room, but will be not do the same with anyone else. There's so much character in reptiles. PS. He also prefers to poop outside his tub....hence, I keep a very good eye whilst he roams around.
Can't wait to set my two up in bioactive enclosures, although i will be ensuring that the plants have months to establish so the babies can't immediately bulldoze them! Hopefully somewill be sturdy enough to climb, and have enough substrate to burrow! My female LOVES digging!
@@dillsnickle good luck with the setup, hopefully the plants will last! I’m also considering adding an area for digging, though mine seems to be more of a climber than a digger
Amazing video. What is your PhD on?
Thanks! My PhD was in plant molecular biology and genetics lol
Great video! Thank you🙂
Bit late to comment but my new ball python arrives in a week and it is amazing to see how they can behave when given proper welfare. I have a big viv + UVB for mine and am hoping to experiment with free roaming and buy a cat tree for her to see if she likes it. I'm glad your baby has such a good life with you
My snakes too will destroy their enclosures if they want to come out and I don't acquiesce. LOL. And kudos to blatantly stating what many people know, but no one wants to say out loud, that how you keep your snakes is not just about personal choices and doesn't affect the animals one way or another. The animals are affected, their whole existence is dependent on the care they are getting. Most "pet rocks" are in fact, traumatized animals suffering from learned helplessness. Anyone lucky enough to share their lives with one of these wonderful animals should do right by them.
Thank you! It's always nice to come across other people who not only agree with my comments but also the way I state them. I feel like there are quite a few people in the reptile hobby who have similar views on animal welfare, but, for some reason, tend to pull their punches when criticizing husbandry practices that are clearly detrimental...
I love this video.
I like to tell people that the actual minimum should be twice that of the minimum generally accepted.
A fascinating video, i love it! I just got my ball python and was told to keep her on a heat mat, but i got a deep heat projector when i saw your videos. Shes still relativley young (only 1100 grams) and in a three foot tank like your first tank. Im interested to learn how she will act as she grows, although right now im focusing on just getting her to eat. I also have a cat so free range movement will have to be restricted somewhat until we can move to a new place. My goal is to have an office space / art room and an upgraded cage, so that i can easily lock the cat out and let the snake explore if she wants.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Also happy to hear that you switched to a deep heat projector, I'm sure your snake will appreciate it :) best of luck with getting you snake to eat and the creation of a snake-proof room!
I saw some idiot say that they keep a ball python in a 20 gallon tank and will never upgrade it because “it’s a perfect size and a ball python that barely moves is a happy ball python”
ugh, those kinds of keepers are the worst... sadly, this sentiment is quite common in the snake hobby :(
You can keep me locked in a small room and provide meals and a toilet and i wont die, but that is literally prison. Just because ball pythons like tight spaces. Their thinking is like saying "my cat loves boxes, maybe they should live in them full time!" These are the same people who feed live because it is "natural". Clearly not interested in learning what is best for their animals.
I love what you have done for this girl, I agree with you, read your snake.
wow this video I really enjoyed she loves to free roam. her enclosure big, but she's a big girl too. she w a nt happy you went on vacation .she so pretty. she lives to explore!
Impressive, you’re so perceptive. Thanks for sharing
I really like your videos and insight! Ended up getting a deep heat projector for my ball python gal! We live in northern europe in a very cold house so I just cant get a heat lamp😅 My girl is still small, so she has a 90cm enclosure atm! She is at this time just around 50cm long so she is just a tiny baby!
Thank you! Best of luck with your baby ball python 😃
Love your video❤ I use to have a rack but after a while I didn’t like it and starting to buy terrariums. They behave more natural in terrariums. I’ll will never use a rack again.
thanks! Glad you feel this way!
I like this video ,I am trying to make the conditions for my snakes better and have just bought a pet play pen for them .
Very interesting, personality plays a massive role in indivual snake behavior. My reticulated python (6.5 foot) has never pushed unless she is looking for food, odd indeed
Interesting, retics are a really fascinating species! Do you let yours roam around often? I agree, personality definitely plays a role, and I think my ball python is probably on the more active side compared to others. Still, regardless of personality, I believe all snakes will benefit from an enriching environment.
@@CatharticOutlet a few times, but its a bit iffy since she figured out how to get inside my PC chair.
I don't yet have a ball python, but I plan on getting one after my trip. However, I have done months of research, mainly because I kept seeing info about tubs and racks and that these were better. Although it didn't make any sense to me, but then, the people making these claims, couldn't provide any evidence and all they did was strawman the opposing view. As soon as anyone uses logical fallacies then they have automatically lost the argument in my eyes. I then found "Reptiles and Research" and realised that he was correct with the scientific evidence and the annecdotal of course which also can't be ignored. Tubs seem fine if you allow your Ball Python to come out regularly and explore, but I certainly would never keep them in a tub. I kept my Beardies "wrong" due to lack of research and trusting pet shops and I don't plan on making that same mistake again
I gave my baby hog nose a 50 gallone enclosure and he is always exploring.
When hes an adult ill have him in a 4x2x2.
To think people have them in 20gals their whole life is insanity
watching this again, love your python so wondering how she is doing .she's a big girl!..
she's doing well! currently she seems to be in a non-active phase and is spending a lot of time resting in her hides
@@CatharticOutlet aww she's getting her beauty sleep lol..rest impt.enjoying her hides too..love her
I've spent 4 hours reading about the research and researchers looking at the different behaviours of snakes. What I find is that a lot of focus is being kept on the "normal" or natural behaviour of snakes. And for my own conclusion after reading those articles and evidence they provide is that it's always going to be a compromise when you keep what is essentially a wild animal. Snakes, lizards are more "hard coded" than something like an intelligent mammal so unless you provide them with a 4 hectar back yard within their preferred climate it's not going to be optimal in at least some ways. For example I've seen a lot of arguments for live feeding within articles that argue against some of the current standards for keeping snakes. Personally I will not live feed my snakes. I would worry about the prey fighting back (What am I going to do, rip the teeth out of the rat and cut off the tips of it's toes first? Maybe that would be best for the snakes who eat them. I'm not saying it can't be, but I'll hard pass on that "option"), even if I'm not watching it (and I would because I would worry about the snake) it's still gruesome and from my entitled point of view as a human who buys pre-slaughtered meat at the market cruel for the little fuzzy who's getting eaten. What I would like is more controlled studies of snakes from the same broods or at least species being kept at different parameters and comparing the two. I haven't found too many great examples of those in the limited time I've spent reading up on it.
At the end of the day these are pets to us. Do the best you can for your pet. Just don't go caveman on them and throw dangerous animals (Like rats, rats ARE terrifying, intelligent little monsters if you are rat sized, they are only cute to us because we are hundreds of times larger than them) in with your snake to keep it on it's toes.
And no, they will not behave in the same exact way as they would out in the wild. They don't live in the wild, they live in wooden, concrete and brick boxes we call homes. It is simply not the same right from the get go. Even if they go out into your garden, unless you live in the African bush for ball pythons as an example, it's still going to be different from what they have evolved to thrive in.
Side note, snakes are dumb. And they can't talk. You need to pay close attention to them to figure out what they need or want. I'm sure there are many things we don't understand about their behaviour yet and people doing research or trying to keep them in alternative ways will keep finding those out. And I'm sure people will spread misinformation because "It works for me" is a hell of an argument to some people.
do whatever you like as long as you feed it, give it water, clean its enclosure when needed, and give it medical/health inspection when they need it.
I partially agree. However, your statement only covers two of the five animal welfare requirements. I’d also add “as long as you keep the animal free from distress and discomfort, in a way that lets it express its normal behavior”.
feel always bad for those bp kept in boring plastic racks.they need enrichment just like any living creature. good job Cathy. you give your bp a great interesting life 🙂
thank you!
@@CatharticOutlet I just love to watch your snake ,b.python
she is special n a snake proof free roam room be great for her .keep up the videos
You can check out my enrichment racks in my videos.
@@JoeSReptiles your racks look good, I wish more rack keepers would invest in set-ups like that! They are definitely on par with many "standard" enclosure set ups. However, imo the main drawback of racks is that they don't allow for much vertical space and it' s not really possible to install a top-down heat source or UVB, which is why I prefer terrariums.
My friend, these snakes literally spend their entire lives in holes in the ground waiting for a mouse to come by. My ball python has spent literal years in his enclosures without moving.
Nothing wrong with giving them plenty of space, but they probably won't use it at all. I gave my little guy plenty of space (put him as a hatchling into an enclosure made for an adult) and I've never seen him use it besides the first week or month when he was trying to map what his home was like. After that, he just sat in his hides for 4+ years, so far.
Nothing wrong with giving them more space, but I did this as an amateur and he didn't use it at all.
Then again, I'm a relatively new snake keeper (5 years), so, maybe you know more than I do. I'll experiment a little bit.
My friend, no, they don’t - multiple studies on thousands of wild ball pythons over the years (including one where they stuck a radio tracker on the snakes and monitored them over a course of 5 years) have revealed that they are actually quite active in the evenings and nights. Not only do the pythons regularly come out of their burrows, they also climb. In the case of juveniles and males, birds actually make up a higher proportion of their diets than mammals. The whole “they spend their entire life in termite mounds” claim is misinformation that has unfortunately been perpetuated by the large segments of the mainstream snake keeping hobby over the last few years, as a justification for rack keeping imo.
Regarding your observations, they are as valid as mine. As in, anecdotal evidence with a sample size of one. For all we know, our snakes could be outliers - I don’t know how you keep your snake in terms of your set up and what exactly his background is, which may influence how he interacts with his environment. As for me, I try to keep my snakes in a way that lets them express their full range of natural behaviors as determined by science, regardless of their personality - if they don’t seem to make full use of everything at least I know they have the option to.
I love your snake and how she's allowed to free roam your place I will be glad when my male ball python gets to be full size he's almost 3 years old and close to 2.5 feet currently and I've read they typically get to be 3 to 3.5 feet I'm honestly hoping he's going to be one of those special record sized ball pythons that get to be like 4 feet lastly I have finally decided to try the deep heat projector method of heating the warm side of my 40 gallon glass terrarium to see if it not only is a better heat source than the ceramic heat emitter that I've been using witch is 100 watts the deep heat projectors that I got coming are the 80 watt Arcadia brand I'm also hoping that he will be a little more active because of it I'm also thinking of getting the Arcadia ShadeDweller-Max Kit for him but will see how the heat project works first
Good luck with your set up! I’m sure your snake will appreciate it.
@CatharticOutlet that is definitely the goal for sure thank you
Really like your videos.
I believe that any space an animals is allowed into regularly becomes its environment/habitat. So yes, if they like to roam, they could be stressed being forced to stay in an enclosure. I do believe that any animals need enrichment, even insects (we had ants and they needed changes/challenges).
I call (edit: too small) bins/cages, when animals can't get out of (edit: if they want to, some snakes will not want to get out, they have their own personalities, or there is risk/health reason not to), prison cells, and racks (with the minimum water bowl, solitary cells "holes". These animals are suffering in silence. You said it right, what do they have to do but stay there. They have only the bare minimum to stimulate their brains.
Edit: I watch Lori and like her way of doing things with her snakes and try to better understand them. I have not trained my BRB yet.
I have only one Brazilian Rainbow boa, 14 months old, and I am upgrading her enclosure to a 4'L x 2'd x 3'h. I know that I will have to upgrade again. In the meantime, she will have more hight to climb, which she enjoys.
I will have the same problem when I will leave for holidays. It's easier to have someone to take care of my two cats and one dog, than it will be for my BRB. I don't know anyone who would want to come after 10 pm (when she is up) to let her out and back in her enclosure!
Edit: I feel lucky that my snake wants to get out, I was hoping she would with time.
Thanks!
I agree, any animal will benefit from enrichment!
Sounds like you are taking good care of your rainbow boa. BRBs are a lovely species and one of my dream pets. And, yes, it is a lot easier to ask people to take care of animals like cats. I have no problem asking friends to come and check on the snakes, maintain their enclosures and give them water - but I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to supervise and handle a free-roaming python... To do that, I would have to write an entire instruction manual on what areas are safe for her to explore, how to handle her without stressing her etc.
Also, I know some snakes are less active than others, but generally, I think that most snakes will go out and explore if you give them a chance - some might take a lot longer because they are shy, but even then I think it is possible for them to get comfortable enough to want out. My corn snake took over a year to become brave enough to come out of her enclosure when I was nearby and now she also wants to go out regularly (she gets put into a play pen because she's too small to roam freely).