The ball pythons are popular snakes that are kept as pets by many people all around the world because of their calm nature and also because they are non- venomous in nature.
In order to keep the ball python happy and healthy you need to understand them and also make sure that they are getting everything what they need.
As we know that in the wild the ball python do not burrow but while being inside the captivity there are some situations in which you will notice that your ball python has start burrowing. There are various reason that why the ball python burrow when they are in captivity. In this article we will discuss about the topic that whether the ball python burrows or not and if they do burrow then what are the various reasons behind it.
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Reasons why Ball Pythons Burrow
Yes the ball do burrow but not always only in some situations when they are under captivity. There are various reason behind the burrowing of the ball python and some of those reasons has been listed as below:-
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Temperature
One of the most common reason for burrowing of the ball python is the wrong temperature. If you will maintain the wrong temperature inside the tank of the ball python then there are chances that the ball python will start burrowing. The ball python will try to burrow the substrate and will hide in it if the temperature is not maintained properly. This is one of the major reason behind the fact that the ball python will start burrowing the substrate inside the captivity.
In such a situation you should be able to maintain the proper temperatures so that the ball python do not need to burrow inside the substrate and they are happy and satisfied inside the captivity. So make sure and observe what is going inside the tank of the ball python.
The temperature inside the enclosure of the ball python should be around 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit at the warm end and 70 to 80 degree Fahrenheit at the cool end. So you need to maintain the temperature at this range for the comfortable living of the ball python and also so that they do not have to bury inside the captivity.
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Humidity
Another common reason for burrowing of the ball python is that the humidity levels inside the tank of the ball python is not correct. The humidity requirement for the ball python is 50 to 60% and needs to be increased to 65 to 70% if they are shedding their skin. But if these requirements are not fulfilled then the ball python tends to burrow the substrates inside the enclosure.
As the tank of the ball python becomes too dry and in order to find the humidity they will burrow the substrate thinking that they would find the groundwater under it.
As we know that the humidity is very important for the ball python, so it is our duty that we should be able to maintain the perfect humidity levels inside the tank of the ball python so that the ball python can live a healthy and a comfortable life inside tank and also they do not have any need to bury inside the enclosure.
The ball python needs proper levels of humidity at the time of shedding otherwise they have to face problems while shedding so that is why the ball python tries to burrow so that they can overcome the humidity issue inside the enclosure.
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Stress or Sickness
When the ball python is not feeling well then also they tend to burrow inside the enclosure. In the stressed condition they just want to hide and do not want to face anything. As they feel more relaxed and comfortable when they are hiding because they are suffering from stress that is there due to various reasons.
Even when the Ball python is sick and they are not active enough then in order to make themselves safe from their predators they try to burrow and hide inside it. As burrowing and then hiding gives them the sense of safety and security. So in such a situation burrowing of ball python is a common scenario.
In order to overcome such a scenario you need to understand your ball python and make sure that is wrong with them. If you are not able to figure out anything then it is necessary that you should visit a vet for some sort of medical attention.
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Lack of hides
If there are not appropriate hides available inside the enclosure of the ball python then also they tend to burrow because after burrowing they will get the place to hide.
So in such a situation you need to provide more and more hide places inside the enclosure of the ball python so that they do not have to burro was they will have appropriate hiding space inside the enclosure itself.
So when you will notice that the ball python is hiding inside the substrate it clearly indicates to the fact that they are not getting enough hiding place inside the enclosure and for resting and relaxing purpose they will try to burrow inside the substrate in the tank.
The ball python needs understanding and also observation so that their owners can understand what they need when they when they are burrowing.
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Burrowing out of boredom
You will also notice that the ball python will burrow when they are bore and do not have anything to do in such situations also the ball will start burrowing.
So in this case you do not have to worry because it is a natural instinct that the ball python will start burrowing as they do not have anything to do and they simply want to pass time and burrowing is one of the option. So whenever the ball python is burrowing without any genuine reason then that means that they are bored and want to do something in order to pass time.
These are some of the reasons which will tell us why the ball python burrows the substrate inside the enclosure. In some situation you need to be careful and take the burrowing of the ball python seriously and in some situations you need to overlook the burrowing because the ball python is just burrowing out of boredom.
You need to understand every reason so that you can take proper care of the ball python and also provide them with medical attention if needed.
Final thoughts:-
The ball python is an amazing pet and they are also calm in nature, but you also need to understand the ball python so that they can live a happy and a comfortable life.
So when they are burrowing in the substrate inside the enclosure you need to understand it what are the reason behind it so that you can give proper attention if needed.
The ball python needs you love and care only then they will co- operate with you and also the ball python will enjoy it stay inside the captivity if all their needs are fulfilled.
You need to spend more time with the ball python so that you can understand them and also build a strong bonding with them. The ball python will also understand you with time and will not cause any sort of problem if they would be understood properly by their owners.
