Received: JanuAccepted: Published: May 27, 2021Ĭopyright: © 2021 Hollandt et al. PLoS ONE 16(5):Įditor: Ewa Tomaszewska, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, POLAND The results show that the housing of ball pythons in a rack system leads to a considerable restriction in species-typical behaviors thus, the rack system does not meet the requirements for animal-appropriate housing.Ĭitation: Hollandt T, Baur M, Wöhr A-C (2021) Animal-appropriate housing of ball pythons ( Python regius)-Behavior-based evaluation of two types of housing systems. Abnormal behaviors that could indicate stereotypies were almost exclusively seen in the rack system. The four behaviors basking, climbing, burrowing, and bathing could only be expressed in the terrarium. The shown behavior spectrum differed significantly between the two housing systems ( p < 0.05). The temperature was controlled automatically, and illumination was provided by a fluorescent tube and a UV lamp. The terrariums contained substrate, a hiding place, possibilities for climbing, a water basin for bathing, an elevated basking spot, and living plants. ![]() The size of each terrarium was correlated with the body length of each python. In Part 2 of the study, the same ball pythons, after at least 8 weeks, were housed individually in furnished terrariums. The pythons were provided with a hiding place and a water bowl, temperature control was automatic, and the lighting in the room served as indirect illumination. In Part 1 of the study, ball pythons ( n = 35) were housed individually in a conventional rack system. In this study, we therefore evaluated two types of housing systems for ball pythons ( Python regius) by considering the welfare aspect animal behavior. Rack housing systems for snakes have become increasingly popular and are widely used however, from an animal welfare perspective, they are no alternative to furnished terrariums. To assure such conditions, not only basic needs must be met, but also possibilities must be provided that allow animals in captive care to express all species-typical behaviors. Considering animal welfare, animals should be kept in animal-appropriate and stress-free housing conditions in all circumstances.
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