Are snakes happier in tank or tub?

[Jodi2950]

Thinking of switching from tank to small rack system. I only have one so far but would like more. My concern is I think my guy likes to look out the glass of his tank...or is that my imagination? Will he adjust to being in a tub and not being able to see out? Advantage of rack for me is space, ease of cleaning and steady temps and humidity.
Can get a small four tub wooden rack with heat tape and 44q tubs for $150

[JustinAskin]

Fish tanks are for fish... racks are fot ball pythons!

He will be fine with the switch. He will feel more secure.

[albinos_rule]

Hold that thought..I will ask them, and get back with you...

[bcr229]

While I realize that the plural of anecdote is not data, let me tell you the stories of ZB and Flash. These are the only BP's I own that have lived in tanks.

ZB (originally named Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama) is a normal BP that was given to us because his owner, a high school boy, was about to graduate and go off to college. His parents really didn't want to deal with the snake. So, through a friend of a friend type deal, ZB was given to us. We found out later that ZB was a girl.

ZB had lived in a tank for several years before we got her. We put her in a QT rack, and then after 90 days, into a rack with the rest of the collection. ZB was described as a very laid-back, easily handled snake. While ZB may have been easily handled while living in a tank with no hides and only an overhead light for heat, ZB made it very clear that she preferred staying in her hide in the tub within a few days of being relocated. No, she didn't bite, but if she wasn't under the hide when we opened the tub, she dove for it when we did. Fortunately once she's out she still tolerates being handled, but it's obvious that she wants to be in her tub, if not under her hide.

Poor Flash had it even worse. He lived in a 40 breeder with a heat lamp that was only on at night despite an ambient temp of 70*F, no UTH, nothing to increase the humidity, and only a half-log hide. He was also described as "easily handled" and an "escape artist", as he frequently pushed off the top of his 40-breeder to go curl up behind the refrigerator. I can't fathom how he managed to not end up with an RI under these conditions.

So, he came home with us and ended up in the QT tub/rack system. Within 24 hours he was a different snake - when you opened the tub he hissed at you and then fled under his hide or to the back of the tub. Most people would figure he was unhappy, but not so - he was very happy with where he was, thank you, and he did NOT want to leave. Or to put it another away, if you've spent your life living in the slums and suddenly you find yourself in a five-star hotel, you're going to throw a fit if you think you're being forcibly removed.

So, get the rack & tub system. It will be easier for you to care for your snakes, and they will be happier.

[JPR]

Another anecdote for you. My female cinnamon ball python Cassandra (avatar pic) has lived in a modified tote/locker for most of her life. Very similar to a tank but I would consider it somewhere between a tank and a tub for functionality.

She was in this setup for about a year (had no room for her in my rack) and had been a very picky eater the whole time. About 3 months ago I purchased a second rack and now had room to put her in a tub.

Ever since she has been moved she has been pounding rats like never before.
I would definitely say she feels more secure/happy.

[CptJack]

I have a BP in a tub in a rack and one in a tank. Same temps/humidity/equipment (hides, bowls, bedding, etc) otherwise.

I don't think one is happier than the other, though by happy here I mean 'secure, healthy, eating'. Neither are picky eaters, both have good sheds.

What I can tell you is, and yeah it's just an ancedote, that the BP in the tank is less nervous, less inclined to ball up or be jumpy, is less head-shy. He actively comes out to see what's going on in the room, doesn't try to hide when he's out and about (doesn't try to get into clothes or under things, etc.) and generally seems to be more confident.

They will BOTH, however, use their hides plenty and resist leaving if they are in them (I don't usually bother trying).

Why? I dunno. Maybe genetics, maybe personality, but mostly I think that snake was exposed to more of the environment and learned that it wasn't going to eat him ala frequent handling means the snake gets used to it and learns you're not a predator/threat. You can take that to mean the tank is better or worse, depending on your point of view. He's obviously less defensive and more secure NOW, but in order to get used to those things (sights, sounds, movement, people) he obviously had to be exposed to them which would initially be stressful.

But eating, shedding, health, pooping, etc? No difference at all.

But again: I have TWO BP (and 2 colubrids - one of which is also in a tub in a rack and the other which is in a glass tank. I see similar behavioral patterns in them - the one in the tank is more 'interactive' and less jumpy/nippy, in spite of being a young king and the one in a tub being an adult corn). What I'm observing and someone who is breeding or keeping bunches is probably very different. And, to be frank, we probably interact more with the snakes into the tanks because we see more of them, as well as them seeing more of us.

[Mr. Misha]

As long as you provide your snakes with proper hides, heat and humidity it doesn't matter if they're in a rack, glass or PVC terrariums.

It all comes down to the convenience of the keeper. For a breeder with a large collection it easier and cost effective to have the snakes in racks. I personally go for looks so I have my BPs in PVC enclosures even though it cost an arm and a leg. Others might have another way they like to keep their BPs.

It also depends how easy you want your life to be. I've had my snakes in glass tanks when I started out and it was pretty challenging to keep both humidity and heat up so I switched to PVC enclosures. They are heated by RHPs and keep perfect humidity so I don't ever have to worry. If someone has the luxury of making a climate controlled room, it would also be a prefect rack room for multiple snakes. As in any hobby, you gotta pay to play.

Ball Pythons are popular because they're easy to keep and aren't very needy so as long as you're providing your snakes with proper care they need, they'll be happy in any place.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[Jodi2950]

I guess I have a decision to make. It sounds like tub kept ball pythons are not quite as easily handled. That is one of the best things about Watson. He has never hissed or struck at us. He is pretty calm when handled and easy to pick up. My daughter shows him to her friends and he has won over many people with his gentleness. He eats pretty well. Just got over a couple month hunger strick and is back on ft rats. He is 649gmail now. His temps are 89.9 on hot and 73 on cold. I do struggle with steady humidity but he has always had good sheds. Should I just leave well enough alone?

[OhhWatALoser]

Any animal is going to enjoy being secure than not as secure. Sure they can thrive in tanks, but the question is what are they happier in? Easy answer is tub.

I handle my 50+ tub kept ball pythons without issue, I have a few that hiss, none bite that are over 4 months old. Currently all of them besides 1 are eating. Id say things are looking pretty good. I notice your cold side temps are a little low, it is pretty well accepted to have your hot spot somewhere between 90-94, You might want your hot spot on the high side to bring up the cold side temps a little. You might not have that issue in a tub however.

[Miranda2]

Ive switched mine out a few times and my adult bp is happiest in a snake cage. Not a tub or a tank. Ive actually had way to many problems with tanks and hate them. Too heavy, hard to heat, tops not fitting correctily and losing small snakes. But they do look nice and can work with effort.. Only my childrens python is in a tank right now.But my sand boas will eventually go in a tank as well.
My babies always go in tubs. Even my cornsnake prefers the tub to the tank. In the tank he stayed hidden in the bedding, but the tub he is way more active instead of hiding 24/7.
My preference is real snake cages like AP or Boaphile, but not many can afford that, I got my cages second hand and am always on the lookout for more. Second choice but first with babies is tubs.
Tanks are last but make the best displays unless you can build a fancy one.