Full Enclosures vs Racks

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does a ball python feel "better" in a well furnished enclosure with room to explore, or would the python feel better in the cozy surroundings of a tub?

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I used to ask myself the same question - until I got some problem eaters. When I removed them from their aquarium-type setup (Exactly as you described yours), and put them in plastic shoe boxes covered with towels, they started eating again and seemed to be much happier. I still take mine out and let them 'run' around and explore, but they REALLY seem happier when kept in small containers. Even the adults. Doesn't make sense to me, but I'm not a Ball Python. Happy in a hide, in a box under cover - go figure.

My 2 cents.
Andy - :snake:

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Originally Posted by mvptext1

If someone could convince me they really do feel better in tubs then that is what I'd want for them. If someone could tell me that they enjoy exploring their enclosure with fake plants and other decor, then I'd be all for that. So I guess what I am saying is, I am on the fence but certainly looking for the input of experienced keepers. I know many of the folks here have made the switch from enclosures to racks. I am learning and like Willie, want what is best for the snakes, not so much for me.

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Well. Ball pythons in the wild spend ~90% of their time holed up in a rodent burrow or termite mound. They rarely come out to explore other than to find food, breed, or locate to another hidey spot.

I can't imagine a burrow is very decorated.

I'm not saying to use a rack over naturalistic vivarium, but I don't think they mind the simplistic rack set up too much. Just do what you want and prefer. As long as your animals are healthy, eating, and thriving, its not a huge deal. If an enclosure is too stressful for them, they'll let you know.

Just my $.02.


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are there any ways to increase the ambient temperature for colder climates (besides using an actual space heater or upping your PG&E bill)??

My area gets kinda cold over the winter, and my folks try and save as much money as possible with the utilities. Sometimes it gets down to 50F in our house during the winter. I can remedy this problem in my tank by using a heat lamp, but what about in a rack??

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

are there any ways to increase the ambient temperature for colder climates (besides using an actual space heater or upping your PG&E bill)??

My area gets kinda cold over the winter, and my folks try and save as much money as possible with the utilities. Sometimes it gets down to 50F in our house during the winter. I can remedy this problem in my tank by using a heat lamp, but what about in a rack??

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In a room that cold you will likely need to use heat tape on both the warm and cool sides of the tub. If you were using 41 qt tubs(34" long) then you could use 6" tape for the warm and 4" for the cool. The down side is that you would need either 2 separate thermostats or a dual controlling thermostat to monitor them. You could also include a wooden or plexiglass door on the front of the rack to trap heat. My rack was designed for regular room temps (68-75) so I used 12" wide tape under each of my tubs to ensure there was a large surface area giving off heat to provide my 90 degree hot side/80 degree cool side/ and 80 degree ambient air temp. Your needs will be determined by you environment and budget. I spent 175 on my rack and 150 on my thermostat. Sounds like a lot, but I can now house and breed up to 6 adult ball pythons. Now to work on the hatchling rack. . .

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

are there any ways to increase the ambient temperature for colder climates (besides using an actual space heater or upping your PG&E bill)??

My area gets kinda cold over the winter, and my folks try and save as much money as possible with the utilities. Sometimes it gets down to 50F in our house during the winter. I can remedy this problem in my tank by using a heat lamp, but what about in a rack??

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What I did to control heat was move my rack into my closet and use a space heater and constantly keep 1 door of my closet shut. That way I only heat a smalle area instead of an entire room, cause I like it cold when I sleep.

I really like racks after using them for a few months. They're extremely energy efficient, and keep husbandry requirements to a T. I know some people keep their snakes in very small tubs in the racks where there is just the snake taking up half the floor space, and a water bowl taking up the rest. For me, it's dependent on the snake. My two babies (under 200g) seem fine with one hide, my 600g and 800g snakes do better with two hides. They all get aspen instead of paper towels; mostly because they all take advantage of the ability to move it around. They partially burrow, hole up the doors to their hide boxes, etc. It adds a naturalistic feel and makes for more three-dimensional movement instead of always sitting on a flat hard surface.

My biggest ball is 1900g and slender at 4.5 feet. He's not shy at all (and is the reason many of my friends get over their fear of snakes). He gets a big enclosure with branches that uses up almost 100 watts. He uses it, and stops feeding in smaller enclosures. He spends most of the day with half his body out of his hide, and spends every night hanging from very sturdy branches. I don't expect all my snakes to act like him, but it's just the way he is, so he gets the big enclosure.

Ok so this may be a dumb question, but is there any type of system that allows for the best of both worlds? The efficiency of a rack with the aesthetic appeal of a naturalistic terrarium. I'm picturing an oversized rack set up with maybe clear plastic on the front for viewing, if that makes sense. For those of us who enjoy watching snake tv at night :) If it doesn't exist yet, somebody need to get on this!

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

Ok so this may be a dumb question, but is there any type of system that allows for the best of both worlds? The efficiency of a rack with the aesthetic appeal of a naturalistic terrarium. I'm picturing an oversized rack set up with maybe clear plastic on the front for viewing, if that makes sense. For those of us who enjoy watching snake tv at night :) If it doesn't exist yet, somebody need to get on this!

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Some racks I've seen have clear fronts. I've seen some at BHB that have this but I've looked them up before and the tubs are superrrr expensive.

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

Ok so this may be a dumb question, but is there any type of system that allows for the best of both worlds? The efficiency of a rack with the aesthetic appeal of a naturalistic terrarium. I'm picturing an oversized rack set up with maybe clear plastic on the front for viewing, if that makes sense. For those of us who enjoy watching snake tv at night :) If it doesn't exist yet, somebody need to get on this!

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Stackable pvc enclosures come pretty close.

I need to modify my post to include economical lol. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd be out a fortune for PVC enclosures. Maybe I'll have to break out the power tools :)