Question about hides and bragging about my new baby xD

[ikethedeviant]

I'm just curious; I repeatedly hear that 2 hides are necessary, one on cool side one on hot side, but how come breeders with rack systems don't have any hides in their tubs? And recently someone suggested that hides make them more defensive and likely to strike at you, and recommended that I don't put a hide in my tub. I still do keep 2 hides in my tub though, just cause my little dude is pretty timid. Do ball pythons absolutely need hides?

Ive been browsing this forum for months now, researching about balls before I got one. I've had just about every kind of pet imaginable, but this is my first snake so I'm fawning over him like crazy. He is from Petsmart, I know, I know, pet stores bad etc etc...I went in for a UTH and saw him with his little face pressed up against the glass, and couldn't stop thinking about him for 5 days...so on the 6th day I went back for him. (I did look for breeders in the area, and mom and pop pet stores, believe me a big chain pet store would not have been my first choice, all my other pets are rescues) But with this little guy it was a chemical thing, love at first sight, I couldn't help myself. He is doing wonderfully, had a perfect shed 2 days ago, and eating fuzzies twice a week (a little too small for him, upgrading to hoppers next week) I just HAD to brag about him, and wanted to introduce myself as I'm probably gonna be on her a lot as a newbie xD I didn't believe people when they told me snakes are addicting, but holy moley I cannot believe how in love I am with my little guy! He's just a plain ol' normal, but in my eyes, there doesn't exist a single morph on this planet that exceeds his beauty =D My little Eros <3

[Capray]

In a large enclosure with distinct hotspots and open space, Two hides are better. I think it depends on the personality of the snake. Mine is a timid eater, and I have her in a much smaller, dark tub with one hide, but she feels safe coming out to bask because it feels like she's in a cave.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Tubs can act as hides. Many breeders use enclosed rack system or tubs that aren't clear. In either of those 2 cases hides inside tubs really aren't necessary.

If you are using a stand alone tub that is clear (or in an open style rack) hides are still recommended.

Providing hides isn't going to make your snake more defensive, if anything they will reduce the snakes stress levels.

[Annarose15]

^ Yep, what these two said. One addition though - I'd suggest you never again take advice from the ignorant person who tried to tell you that hides make BPs aggressive. That's just ridiculous.

[Raven01]

^ Yep, what these two said. One addition though - I'd suggest you never again take advice from the ignorant person who tried to tell you that hides make BPs aggressive. That's just ridiculous.

What she said.

Just keep in mind near feeding day you might not want to wave a finger in front of the hide and be mistaken for prey. That isn't aggression at all though it is owner foolishness.
I have to say these snakes (except some young in experienced ones) are remarkably laid back creatures.
1. Handle them and give them no cause to fear you(for some this includes handling during shed, and not for others).
2. Don't be mistaken for food.

^^^ Do that and you likely are not going to get bit much and if you do, you will likely see that there was something that could have been done differently.