Too big of enclosure????

[dc4teg]

Say you had an extra room and a ball python and the money to turn it into a large savannah like area....

anywho, ball python experts say this would stress a snake, but why? In Africa, land is plenty full, as long as many hides are placed trough out, the snake should be fine!

Africa is huge and the vast amount of area they have the ability to live in is bigger than anything Tupperware ever made....

just my .02 cents.....

[blackcrystal22]

Say you had an extra room and a ball python and the money to turn it into a large savannah like area....

anywho, ball python experts say this would stress a snake, but why? In Africa, land is plenty full, as long as many hides are placed trough out, the snake should be fine!

Africa is huge and the vast amount of area they have the ability to live in is bigger than anything Tupperware ever made....

just my .02 cents.....

Because this isn't the wild.
And it would be impossible to regulate proper temperatures and humidity in such an environment..
AND, HIDES are not always the answer. Termite burrows are huge crevices that they live in, but are also snug. They hardly ever leave them, and if they do it's just to drink.
My first ball python was a hatchling in a 20gallon long enclosure. Had enough hides and everything. The size and insecurity of the enclosure and living space itself is what made him go on a 5 month fast.

[Kaorte]

Yes they have all of Africa to move about, but they don't. They find a rodent burrow or a termite mound and they rarely leave. In the wild, you will actually find many ball pythons in the same burrow or termite mound, especially during breeding. They have the option of leaving, but they are so scared that they don't.

This is not the wild, this is captivity. In captivity we house them in a way that suits all of their needs to they can thrive. Recreating the Savannah in your closet is not something that will help them to thrive.

[dc4teg]

trust me I know it wouldnt be "the wild" but if temps could be controled then a big inclosure, its not a problem imo...

like say a ball python in a 40+ gal tank.... as long as the temps are good and good cover and good hides, I personally dont think a big cage is a problem, even though they really dont need one...

[BiggBaddWolf]

I have successfully kept BP's in 40 gallon tanks, and they did fine!!

[bsash]

I've kept one in my 125 gallon tank when its original cage broke and it did do great once I got everything good. It was kind of a waste of space though, because they don't really move, even when given the room. So she has been down graded to a 40 breeder tank.

[blackcrystal22]

trust me I know it wouldnt be "the wild" but if temps could be controled then a big inclosure, its not a problem imo...

like say a ball python in a 40+ gal tank.... as long as the temps are good and good cover and good hides, I personally dont think a big cage is a problem, even though they really dont need one...

You didn't listen to anything I said.
It depends on the snake, but many snakes will go off feed with larger cages even if the heating and humidity requirements are met. It does not matter if they have all their hides and everything perfect. If it's too big, it's too big and they won't eat for you.

It really depends on the animal. If they eat fine and don't act stressed in a 40 gallon, then that's fine. But if the snake is not eating, lowering the cage size often will fix the problem.

And it is pretty impossible to control the entire heated room properly not to mention keep humidity requirements.

[DesignerBP]

Heres some additional input to this debate from a very similar thread.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115836

[dembonez]

Say you had an extra room and a ball python and the money to turn it into a large savannah like area....

anywho, ball python experts say this would stress a snake, but why? In Africa, land is plenty full, as long as many hides are placed trough out, the snake should be fine!

Africa is huge and the vast amount of area they have the ability to live in is bigger than anything Tupperware ever made....

just my .02 cents.....

i think in the wild BP's kill rabbits and live in their burrows im not sure tho

[kellysballs]

Personally I see a couple of things wrong with the room idea.
#1 if the room was set up properly you would never find your animal.
#2 It could be done and it would really be a beautiful set up but it is gonna cost some serious $.
#3 If you are giving an animal a "wild" set up you need to be ready to accept "wild" behavior and health issues that may or may not come with the territory.
Here are just 2 examples off the top of my head.

*I wild balls do not eat a small rat once a week nor do they eat frozen
thawed. you would have to find a new way to introduce food to your
animal and be prepared for them to eat at a more natural frequency.
*You would need a thick layer of dirt as substrate to have burrows dug
in and for the "savannah" grasses to grow in. (which by the way
should be heated to radiate heat to your animal) How would you
clean that? Bacteria would build up that may make your animal sick.

Don't get me wrong I love "wild" or naturalistic enclosures they just need to be very well planned and thought out with the animals needs in mind and then the person implementing them needs to have sufficient $ and man power for their building and upkeep.