Why does my Ball Python Burrow?

The ball python has become one of the most popular pets for the past few years due to their calm nature and the fact that they are very docile. Most of the time, ball python owners are satisfied with their ball pythons, however, some owners of the ball python become panicked when their ball python starts burrowing into their enclosures for the first time.

A pet owner should not worry about burrowing because this is a normal and natural behavior of the ball python. Burrowing is completely dependent on the personality of the ball python. In the wild, ball pythons enjoy burrowing, and they spend most of their time burrowing. However, if the ball python suddenly starts burrowing, it can be a sign that something is wrong with them, such as stress or illness, etc. This article will explain everything you need to know about ball python burrowing. All pet owners should read this article in order to find out everything you need to know about ball python burrowing.

Is it normal for a Ball Python to Burrow?

Yes, it is normal for ball pythons to burrow. Burrowing behavior is common in ball pythons and they usually seem to enjoy burrowing in substrates. Female ball pythons are more prone to burrowing than male ball pythons and male ball pythons are usually inclined to climb in logs.

A ball python is more likely to burrow if it has a small tank and there are no hides in it, so they create their hide in order to gain some privacy and comfort in order to escape their environment. Burrowing is an extremely natural behavior for ball pythons in order to regulate their body temperature, but if your ball doesn't burrow but suddenly starts burrowing then it creates panic in ball python owners.

Can you tell me why my Ball Python suddenly started Burrowing?

As you are aware burrowing is the natural behavior of your ball python, and it also depends on the personality of your ball python, some enjoy burrowing, some don't, but if your ball python has not burrowed in the past and suddenly has started burrowing, then something is wrong with your ball python that needs to be taken care of.

The ball python may be affected by a number of factors, which may cause your ball python to suddenly start burrowing. At that time, pet owners should take extra care to keep a watchful eye on their ball pythons. Below are some reasons with solutions for burrowing ball pythons, which are explained in detail.

As a result of incorrect enclosure temperature- Normally, when the temperature inside the ball python enclosure gets very high, such as over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the ball python will start burrowing to cool itself down. In addition to that, if there are so many heat lamps present in the tank then it makes the ball python burrow or move to the cold side.

Solution- In order for the pet owners to have their ball python stop burrowing, they should keep the temperature of the ball python enclosure between 70 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool side and 90 - 95 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm side, and they should use a thermostat to regulate the temperature of the enclosure.

As a result of incorrect enclosure humidity- It is important to note that if you have not kept your ball python enclosure at an optimal humidity level then their environment becomes too dry, and that makes the ball python burrow into the ground in order to find the groundwater. The dryness of the environment also caused the ball python to get dehydrated and uncomfortable.

Solution- In order to solve this problem, pet owners should ensure that the humidity in the ball python enclosure is in the optimal range, which is between 50 and 60%, and they should use a hygrometer to guarantee that the tank moisture is maintained in an ideal level and ensure that the humidity is optimal.

A lack of suitable hides in their enclosure- It is important to note that if there are no hides in the ball python enclosure, or if there are less number of hides, or if there is a hide that is too small, then the ball python may feel unsettled and decide to dig its hide.

Solution- It is important for pet owners to provide their ball pythons with more than 2 hides in their enclosure, with decorative pieces to add to the interior, in order to prevent the ball pythons from burrowing due to a lack of hides. This will allow the ball python to feel secure and comfortable.

When your ball python is stressed or ill- Whenever your ball python is sick or stressed, they tend to burrow rather than hide in the hide box because they need to feel more secure. A sick or stressed ball will be less likely to explore and become lethargic, as well as not eating as much as normal.

Solution- Pet owners need to take their ball python to a veterinary clinic if they want their ball python to not burrow because of stress or illness, and to provide them with an appropriate environment for their ball python to live in.