Do all BP hides need to be round in shape?

I have posted a similar thread a few days ago and i havent gotten a reply, i also cant find a way to delete/edit the post or post it in into another section in the forum.

My question as you can see is related to the shape of the hide the ball python should be having. Im currently using half a log as a hide but im not sure if thats okay because the ball python cant go into a "ball'' inside of it. Is that okay or should i consider getting a new hide?


PS:I ordered the hide 2 days ago from a site that happens to be in the same country im living in because If i were to order one online from america, it would cost me a fortune seeing as they charge for shipping and the weight also matters (which would probably be super heavy). The one and only hide i could find that would actually fit a ball python was this.


Thanks in advance :)

Nope the shape of the hide doesn't matter at all. I use rectangular hides from reptile basics and a squarish sized hide for my bp in a PVC cage. They all use them regularly and can ball up just fine in their hides no matter what the shape [emoji4] I do have a couple round hides too but they are too small for any of my snakes.

The half-log hides aren't particularly good for BP's not because of their shape, but because they are too open and airy. BP's like hides that are just barely big enough for them to fit into, with just one hole for entry and exit.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

The half-log hides aren't particularly good for BP's not because of their shape, but because they are too open and airy. BP's like hides that are just barely big enough for them to fit into, with just one hole for entry and exit.

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I was thinking about that too but I'm out of ideas as to what could make a good enough hide for my snake :/. I was thinking maybe shoe boxes but then again I don't think a cartoon shoe box would hold up well for a long time with the humidity of the enclosure.

You can use a small cardboard box as a temporary enclosure, though as you noted cardboard absorbs moisture, and if it gets pooped or peed on it'll have to be replaced.

You don't need to buy a commercial reptile "hide" either, I've seen people convert small plastic bowls (the disposable kind fast food comes in), the plastic food ctonainers that Ramen meals or microwaveable meals come in, plastic flower pots or planters... basically anything made of thin plastic where you can cut an access hole with a pair of scissors.

I've made hides out of black Tupperware before, simple and works. For what's its worth I don't think you can beat RBI hides tho.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

basically anything made of thin plastic where you can cut an access hole with a pair of scissors.

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I don't recommend an access "hole" unless it's at least twice as wide as the widest part of the snake.

More of a notch, that is NOT enclosed on all sides. (an upside down U is best, not an O) Then the hole is not finite in size, and they cannot get stuck
if they turn back on themselves.

Mr Burrows preferred a tight right angle to the oversized hide I had at first.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2d83o1x.jpg


Should a thin plastic hide be weighted down or pressed down into the substrate so it doesn't move around?

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Originally Posted by NWReptiles

I don't recommend an access "hole" unless it's at least twice as wide as the widest part of the snake.

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Lol I'm sorry what? Why?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NWReptiles

I don't recommend an access "hole" unless it's at least twice as wide as the widest part of the snake.

More of a notch, that is NOT enclosed on all sides. (an upside down U is best, not an O) Then the hole is not finite in size, and they cannot get stuck
if they turn back on themselves.

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Good point, my "holes" are really cut out notches.