'Identical' hides question

[Superpop]

I just read 2 thread tonight where the owners mentioned having 2 identical hides on each side for their BP's.

Our snake has had 2 hides right from the start but they are not 'identical' and she always hides on her cool side hide. Even when she thermoregulates on the warm side it is always on that side but never inside the hide she has there. She never uses it!

Does she need an IDENTICAL hide to her cool side?

P.S. I have dealt with a lot of rude people on this site and so if you can't be helpful without being rude....don't bother responding!

[Emilio]

Yeah an identical hide will allow her to decide on thermoregulation and not security. If the hide on the cold side is nice and snug or vice versa she will most times trade temps for security.

[Superpop]

Yeah an identical hide will allow her to decide on thermoregulation and not security. If the hide on the cold side is nice and snug or vice versa she will most times trade temps for security.

Thank you Emilio.

The BP caresheet on this site states that they should have 2 separate hides but doesn't state anything about that they should be 'identical'. If that is the case I hope it will be updated to say that!

We will purchase a new identical hide for our 'Snickers'(that's her name) now.

[blackcrystal22]

Some ball pythons don't care if it's identical or not, but if one prefers a specific hide over another then it's advised to get identical ones. That way the ball python isn't choosing it's favorite hide over it's thermoregulation needs.

It's not a requirement, but I would personally advise using identical ones just to avoid favorites.

P.S. People are often rude when they are argued with. When they give friendly advice first, then the rudeness comes when the OP argues for some reason or other. Sometimes though, it's because we deal with the ignorance of people who ask for help but refuse to do the right thing for the animal. We get a lot of reoccurring issues and we don't mind helping and answering questions but sometimes the irresponsibility of some owners can take it's toll on us. Don't take it personally.

[xFenrir]

It seems to depend on their personality. The shy-er the snake, the more likely they are to play favorites to the one they feel more secure in. I have a log-like hide and a small box with a hole cut in it for my hides, and at first I thought she was doing the preference thing, but it turns out that she goes to the cool side early in the morning and by the time I usually get up she's back on the warm side.

If you want two different hides, check at different times to see where he/she is, because they might switch when you're not home or you're asleep. My girl is really sneaky about shifting sides when nobody's looking.