Question: “I am setting up the cage for a ball python I’m about to purchase. Does the cage need branches and stuff for my pet snake to climb on? Or do they stay on the ground most of the time?”
In the wild, ball pythons do not spend much time climbing. They are ground-dwelling snakes that spend most of their time hiding under things (or underground).
What does this mean to you, as a ball python keeper? It means that climbing furniture is optional. A piece of climbing furniture is not necessary to the health of your captive snake — not the way water bowls and hiding spots are necessary — but it may enhance your snake’s habitat. So feel free to experiment.
There really aren’t any down sides to providing a climb. There is no harm in offering your ball python something to climb on. Will the snake actually use the climbing furniture? There’s only one way to find out. Experiment. Most of the ball pythons I have owned spent all of their time on the ground, but I do recall one that climbed around his cage quite often. In my experience, younger snakes climb more than adult snakes. It’s easy to see why. Adult pythons can be pretty stocky, so they’re not really “built” for arboreal activity.
Here’s the bottom line on climbing furniture. Ball pythons are not known to be climbers, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to offer your pet snake something to climb on. You might find that your ball python is one of the exceptions to the rule.
As with other cage furniture, you have a lot of options for creating or purchasing climbs. Driftwood works well, though it’s a bit challenging to clean properly. You can also purchase artificial vines made of rubber that be bent in different ways. Just be sure to anchor these vines firmly so they don’t tip over as easily.
If you use an overhead source, such as a heat lamp, the climbing furniture gives the snake another temperature option as well. The snake can easily climb up the furniture to get closer to the heat source.
Ball Python Cage Safety
There are three safety issues to consider when using climbs in a ball python cage:
- As I mentioned, you should anchor them as securely as possible so they don’t tip over all the time.
- You should not place a hide so close to an overhead heating device that a snake could potentially burn itself.
- You should use caution when placing hides in a cage with a screen lid. Captive snakes have been known to rub their noses on these screens, which can cause injury over time.
If you’d like to learn more about ball python care, be sure to check out my e-book on the subject.