Hides in tubs

I recently moved my ball pythons into tubs, I made the switch from glass tank housing....anyway, I noticed a lot of big name breeders don't use hides in their tubs. Although I plan on using hides for hatchlings I was wondering if it was completely necessary for adults because of their size.

I typically dont use hides in my hatchling racks being they are 6 qt bins. A few of my adults have hides but most do not.

A tub is kinda like a hide... it is small, and you can't see through it all that well. Many people will just use one hide (over the heat tape) to encourage their BP's to sit on the hot side. Eventually properly sized hide boxes for large Bp's don't fit well in tubs so I think that that plays a role as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

A tub is kinda like a hide... it is small, and you can't see through it all that well. Many people will just use one hide (over the heat tape) to encourage their BP's to sit on the hot side. Eventually properly sized hide boxes for large Bp's don't fit well in tubs so I think that that plays a role as well.

---

This ^^^

My biggest girl stopped using her hide at around 700g. The hide was big enough, so I really don't really know why she stopped using it. After a couple of weeks I just removed it from the tub and she's been eating for me every time I offer.

I would just give them the option. If they use it...great, if they don't and are eating fine, take it out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

A tub is kinda like a hide... it is small, and you can't see through it all that well. Many people will just use one hide (over the heat tape) to encourage their BP's to sit on the hot side. Eventually properly sized hide boxes for large Bp's don't fit well in tubs so I think that that plays a role as well.

---

gotcha thanks for the quick response.

All of mine have them, but I am not really sure if they "need" them.

The majority of mine do not have hides....however, two of my adults absolutely WILL NOT eat unless they have a hide.

My 240G male doesn't have a hide and although his tub is a little large he eats without issue. The 620+G female I recently purchased seemed to be doing fine but refused to eat. I tried multiple times with multiple differant food options and nothing. I put a hide in on Tuesday I believe and she ate immediatley when I put the rat in on Wednesday.