I want to clear something up. Opinions welcome!

[tHeGiNo]

I all to often see people chosing out 'active' ball pythons and being happy that their ball python is 'active.' However I have always understoof that this is not a good think. Ball pythons by nature are by nature not very active and nocturnal. During they day they hide, done. Im my opinion an active ball python is a sign of stress or improper husbandry. Am I wrong here? I all to often hear people saying something along the lines of 'my ball python is very active when I'm holding her'. Chances are the snake is trying to get away rather then being 'active'. Please give me your opinion on this.

[sapphire_moon]

Well my BP is active when I hold her, Not always but sometimes. I think she is exploring her new surroundings. But for the most part she just curls around my hand and rests her head on my palm. But when someone new is in the house she moves around alot. She usually isn't active during the day....so I don't think being active during the night is all that unusual.

[Big Mike]

I agree, when I see an animal that is constantly going around it's enclosure I think that there must be something wrong.

My snakes spend 95% of their time hiding in one way or another. I think this is what they would do if they were in the wild. Although there are no predators in captivity I take their lack of activity as contentment. (is that even a word?)

[Colonel SB]

My BP's very individually some are more active then others...They are all set up in the same houseing ie: tupperware. I would have to say that when they are removed from thier enclosures they tend to explore a little, but some of my Shyer BP's will head straight for the darkest spot they ca find.

[tHeGiNo]

Yes but in my opinion active when out of the enclosure = wanting to get away.

[fanmaninacan]

Well SAID GINO!

BALLS BY nature ARE NOT ACTIVE

THERE VERY SLOW MOVING CALM SNAKES

T.P

[lilyskip]

My BP spends most of the day curled up under a plastic bush, and really starts moving when I plug in his night light.

[B.O.A. asbl]

I don't see my BP during the day, only at night when the lights go out. Half an hour before he can lay is head out though.
cheers

[Linds]

Active inside the enclosure is very different from active outside the enclosure. If a ball is uncomfortable/stressed it will sit still (possibly tucked in a ball) while being handled. If it is moving around that means it is feeling comfortable enough to explore its new surroundings, not threatened still.

Active in the enclosure from time to time is a good sign, but if the snake is constantly cruising it can be indicative of a few things such as improper temps, lack of food, or breeding behaviour. Not all of these are bad, and all can be fixed, they are not typically indicative of permament problems.

[sapphire_moon]

Well when I go to bed (she is in my bedroom) she will sometimes come out and "visit" with us. Just cruisin around, get a drink, cruise some more. Then we turn the lights out and she really stretchs out, as much as she can from one end to the other and just climbs and slithers away. Then I assume before we get up she "goes to bed" in her hide, all nice and warm till the next night. "shrugs" I don't think people should base all BP's on one concept. Everyone is different, even if they don't have "feelings" or "personalities" they are all different. I'm sure most of you can agree on that (and I'm sorry if I've offended you by saying most) Some like all white mice, and only all white mice, some will eat only white mice, but will take black and white rats, some won't even eat rats, some won't eat f/t etc....etc... it can go on and on. So don't always take "cruisin" around the tank to be a bad sign. You have to learn to read your animal. And then you have to learn your animals "Body Language". I'm sorry that was so lengthy....Just my opinions!!!!!!!

By the way, arne't BP's supposed to be nocturnal? So if they are (and I'm assuming they are!) why is it a bad thing that they come out at night?

:wo> :w o>

[tHeGiNo]

I do not believe anyone said it is bad for them to be out at night?

[sapphire_moon]

no, but people were saying "active at night".....thats all.....

[killaclown]

My bps are active when he is hungry so i feed them and put them to sleep for a couple of days.

[stkkts]

MY ball is extremely inquisitive and curious. Sometimes when I take him he just kinda rests on my arm, but usually he is extremely active. And he isnt trying to get away either, He usually tries to get all tangled up in my "TV watchin chair". At night he is very active too, both on the ground, and trying to get out of his tank by pushing at the top, but I dont think anything is wrong, I just think he is a curious little guy. I like the fact that he is so active.

[snakehunter]

mine doesnt rest on my arms or anything, my arms are too hairy, and he hates it when his lower lip touches any hary surface.

on the activity topic, my snake is in one of three places during the day, on the warm side hide, underneath the branch base (cool side hide), or curled up on his branch sunning, like right now (he just had a big meal). at night he is all over the place, getting a drink and just cruisin, or some times hee'll warm up inhis hide.