A question about enclosure size

[simplechamp]

So I know that everyone says smaller is generally better when it comes to housing BPs. Too big of an enclosure and they stress, won't eat, etc. I get it and don't doubt it one bit.

Here is my question: In the wild, are BPs in a state of extreme stress most of the time? Isn't mother nature like the biggest "enclosure" there is? If a snake feels insecure and stressed because a 40G tank is too big, then wouldn't being outside in huge open areas be even more stressful?

For the sake of this situation, let's assume the snake has plenty of water, food, hides, correct temps/humidity, etc. in both the 40G tank and in the open wild. Based on size of "enclosure" alone, which is more stressful?

[Mochelem]

BP's in the wild live solitary lives in termite mounds and abandoned rodent dens, they will lay next to an opening when they are hungry and wait for some prey to walk by.

It is possible to keep them in a larger enclosure you will need to fill up some of the open space with plant and rocks, but there are other problems with a bigger enclosure than that. Its harder to control heat and humidity.

Also why would you want to take up more room than you need to? Tanks are big they take up a lot of room and if I had one for a bp I wouldnt go bigger than a 20g long.

[simplechamp]

So are BPs more or less stressed in the wild compared to in captivity? I'm not thinking about putting my BP in a bigger enclosure. I agree with smaller being better. It just seems counter-intuitive that their natural habitats are so huge but in captivity smaller is better.

[Mochelem]

No thier not stressed because they are in a nice tight dark termite mound or rodent den most of the time, theres also not humans walking around them, and disturbing them every day...

[starmom]

I keep my bigger girls in 2x3 RBI cages and have never had a problem with them being stressed or going off feed or doing anything unusual! Also, temps and humidity hold fine in RBI cages for me!

[Mochelem]

I keep my bigger girls in 2x3 RBI cages and have never had a problem with them being stressed or going off feed or doing anything unusual! Also, temps and humidity hold fine in RBI cages for me!

RBI's are nice, but they are fully enclosed, tanks are trickier to use. Also like you said you keep big girls in there, that wouldnt be a place for a snake under 2000 grams....