ATB Care

I dont mean to step on toes but a taller than long cage is a common misconception.. sure height is important alot of people like the taller than long cages for display but a more lengthly cage actually is better in the respect that it gives a greater area for a gradient and thermoregulation and when they cruise the cage at night it gives them a larger area to stretch out in, typically arboreals will pick the highest perch in an enclosure .. regardless if they are comfortable or not and provideing the extra width and larger gradient will keep that from becoming an issue
A gradient can be established in a tall narrow cage but is much harder to accomplish

I stand corrected. Having never kept arboreals myself, I'm perfectly willing to defer to Robert's response.

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A gradient can be established in a tall narrow cage but is much harder to accomplish

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depends on how you create your gradient.
If you warm from the bottom of the enclosure it gets cooler as you go up creating a vertical gradient. This seems to work well with Amazons as they hang out all over the place, not always at the top. They spend time on the ground too. GTB and ETBs dont hang out on the ground and ussually are on the highest perch, but Ive found this isnt the case with ATB's.

I think you would be good whichever way you set it up as long as it has places to perch and does have a proper gradient.

I have had several and still own one . they seem to hang out where they are most comfotable and secure . Mine usually stayed in the highest perch..keep in mind they dont like straight perches and need close forked branches or a simulated version

i don't keep atb's but my chondros spend 99% of their time on the highest perch and they go back and forth from the hot end to the cool one.

vaughn

so they do regulate their tempture of there bodies so it's alright to have a cooler end and a spot light on one end?

all snakes thermoregulate .. their temperature requirements and/or preferences may vary day to day just be sure and have proper perches and provide some sort of security in each area IE fake or live plants to provide some cover