Animal-appropriate housing of ball pythons (Python regius)—Behavior-based evaluation of two types of housing systems

Considering animal welfare, animals should be kept in animal-appropriate and stress-free housing conditions all circumstances. To assure such conditions, not only basic needs must met, but also possibilities provided that allow captive care to express species-typical behaviors. Rack systems for snakes have become increasingly popular are widely used; however, from an welfare perspective, they no alternative furnished terrariums. In this study, we therefore evaluated two types of ball pythons ( Python regius ) by considering the aspect behavior. Part 1 n = 35) were housed individually a conventional rack system. The with hiding place water bowl, temperature control was automatic, lighting room served as indirect illumination. 2 same pythons, after at least 8 weeks, size each terrarium correlated body length python. terrariums contained substrate, place, climbing, basin bathing, elevated basking spot, living plants. controlled automatically, illumination fluorescent tube UV lamp. shown behavior spectrum differed significantly between p < 0.05). four behaviors basking, burrowing, bathing could expressed terrarium. Abnormal indicate stereotypies almost exclusively seen results show system leads considerable restriction behaviors; thus, does meet requirements housing.