When is it OK to stop using hides?

How many grams should your ball python be before you can remove his/her hide ?

If ball pythons are kept in a smallish, darkened rack, then they can usually do fine without hides. But for the most part, ball pythons always need/want a hide. No matter how big they get, they spend the majority of their lives hiding in tight, dark rodent burrows or termite mounds. Even in a rack, I would always provide a hide for mine because they like them so much.

What Judy just said... plus.... Some Big females.. if they are housed in smaller tub like 32 qt or occasional monster female in 41qt racks they really dont need hide... for rest of BP I'll Provide hide for all they Life...

I think that a rack can be considered a hide, in some ways, it has many of the aspects of a hide. So with that in mind I'd say never they always need to have a hide.

in my brief experiences I only supply a hide if they wont eat ect, other wise in a rack setting they feel pretty secure, but again except for the ones that dont, they will let you know:rolleye2:, listen to your animals:D

It's not a matter of size it depends on various thing such as the animal itself, the type of enclosure etc.

Knowing your animal is key.

I have animals that never have had a hide some other however that cannot do without (very few but still a few)

Be in tune with your animal and you will know :gj:

Honestly I feel that there should always be a hide, a tub would almost never mimic one. Especially if the tubs are the white translucent ones most use. Even if its dark, whatever light you have goes into the tub so those tub walls wouldn't look very secure to them. Also they don't get that tight enclosed space feeling they would unless the tub is too small for them. When you put a hide into a tub, most snakes would start using the hide, they prefer it. So i'd give them the choice.

Some of mine don't use the hides at all, so they don't get them anymore. Others use them 100% of the time and will always have one. Whatever makes your snake happy, do it. It's not about what is convenient for you.

OP is the snake in question in a rack or something else?

My Ball came to me never having had a hide, it too her about two weeks to start using it, now she lives in her hides.... I was going to ditch them a day before she started using them. glad I waited.