Time for new hides? Or even new tank?

[brobertson]

My male pastel Monty has been poking out the side of his hides for a while. Half the time he fits like a glove but the other half he is sticking out a ton. I have larger hides but they barely fit into his 10 gallon. He is about 21 inches long.

I am nervous to upgrade his tank because his eating has been rather finicky. As a matter of fact I'm not even sure that I want to change hides, for fear that he goes on hunger strike. What should I do?????

[JTrott]

Leave the tank the way it is....if it ain't broke don't fix it......ball pythons like 'tight' hides....if they don't fit, but they are eating, leave it.....I have some larger 2011's that wear hides like hats, but they eat, so I don't jack with it.......sounds like he/she is comfortable like that.....

Jason

[Slim]

It's inevitable that you'll need to increase his hide size as he grows. In a glass tank set up hides tend to be more important than in a rack system where the closed sides of the rack provide security.

You'll also need to eventually deal with making the move from your 10 gal tank to something larger. It would be an ideal time to change over to a tub, rack, or PVC cage. Something that he will occupy for the rest of his life.