Does the way that an enclosure opens effect the snakes behavior?

[daniel1983]

This question is really for you all that have used a bunch of different enclosures.

have you ever noticed a difference in the behavior of snakes kept in enclosures that allow access in the top and enclosures that allow access in the side?

I have heard that opening from the top puts extra stress on the snake because you are coming down to get them similar to a preditor and that side opening enclosure puts less stress on the animal. I have also heard a breeder say that his snakes that are kept in side opening enclosures are more likely to bite than the ones kept in top opening enclosures (expecially the larger snakes).

I have heard all kinds of other talk about this so I was wondering what your opinions were.

[Shelby]

hm.. well I have my one boa in her boaphile side opening cage. She has never tried to bite from her cage. She always hisses, but that's because she thinks I'm going to give her a shot.

I have a lot of snakes in top opening tubs. I think it does make them a bit more nervous. Some of the snakes go to defensive posture from the movement above them (younger snakes mostly)

I wonder why they'd bite more from a side opening cage...?