Naturalistic vs Non Naturalistic?

Hi there! More so making this thread out of pure curiosity and to see other peoples opinions on it.

So on Reddit someone posted a question in r/snakes about wanting to own a ball python and where to start. There's was honestly a lot of differentiating opinions on naturalistic vs non naturalistic. Primarily they where pushing the idea of a more naturalistic enclosure, going so far as saying ball pythons don't need belly heat as that's not "realistic".
And, while I know ball pythons don't really need it it doesn't hurt to have it (as long as its regulated that is).

So whats your guys opinions? Is going realistic really the only way to take care of BP or is non realistic fine as well?

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Originally Posted by EarlGreyCrumpets

Hi there! More so making this thread out of pure curiosity and to see other peoples opinions on it.

So on Reddit someone posted a question in r/snakes about wanting to own a ball python and where to start. There's was honestly a lot of differentiating opinions on naturalistic vs non naturalistic. Primarily they where pushing the idea of a more naturalistic enclosure, going so far as saying ball pythons don't need belly heat as that's not "realistic".
And, while I know ball pythons don't really need it it doesn't hurt to have it (as long as its regulated that is).

So whats your guys opinions? Is going realistic really the only way to take care of BP or is non realistic fine as well?

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Naturalistic the only way ? Lol. Do they also include birds of prey in there room to simulate threats ? Like...I find this debate funny. We keep animals in captivity, the idea is that they would be safe and there needs (because they have no wants !) to be satisfied. Nothing else matters, natural or not

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I have both a uth and a basking bulb. Everything is on thermostats and timers just in case someone says something. Anywho... my bp will often climb up on his log to bask and appears to enjoy it. It gets him to climb and makes it so he’s visible occasionally so it doesn’t look like an empty tank. I think either option is fine as long as your temps are correct. Imo there’s no harm having a low watt bulb for daytime basking. Again as long as temps and humidity are correct it doesn’t really matter what you use.


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Anything that keeps the animal comfortable, healthy, and non-stressed is fine.

There is no "one true way."

I prefer the looks and mental stimulation/variety of displayed behaviors/exercise opportunities of decently sized somewhat more naturalistic enclosures. My own have multiple hides, fake plants, and things to climb on or burrow through depending on species. I love the looks of huge full bioactive setups with invertebrate communities, but would never do that myself.

But if your snake is healthy and active (within species norms) in a large tub with just a bowl of water and two plastic box hides I won't argue with you. Note I said large. I do have a pet peeve about tubs that never allow an animal to stretch out its body, and opaque tubs that block all light.

Well unless you have a termite mount in your living room as well as the ability to provide the same climate, fauna and flora found in Africa a setup will never be naturalistic.

Captivity is what it is, captivity and in our job is to provide those animals with an environment that allows them to thrive and be healthy and this can be achieved many different ways from minimalistic to bioactive and everything in between so long people know how to.

The issue I have seen over the last 20+ years however is that people often let their emotions (often anthropomorphism) take control and they are no longer able to be unbiased when it comes to keeping reptiles.

So the reality is that there are more than one way to do things and people should do what works for them and their animals granted it does work (troubleshooting an animal with issues is different story)

Over the years I have kept various species in various type of setup, I have always experimented (heat, enclosure, feeding etc) because it has allowed me to witness and understand specific species behavior based on how they were specific kept and allowed me to grow as a keeper as well, ultimately over the last 14 years I have chose to keep some species in minimalist environment and sometime I provide belly heat sometime I do not (being efficient is also a factor I take in consideration)

Bottom line do what works and be open and willing to learn from others and your animals.

This is one of my Royal viv set ups.. he’s out climbing for hours each evening .. just eases my conscience a little .. I hate seeing them in an ‘enclosure’ with just a hide and a little bowl of water ..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b8fedf816d.jpg


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