Duct tape and ball pythons question!?

Heck hit the dollar store or the cheapo plasticware section of any major department store. You can find a huge selection of various sized plastic bowls in dark colors that make excellent snake hides. One of the tricks I learned was to shop for hides right after Hallowe'en. Oodles and oodles of marked down black bowls. Got a huge one meant for candy a few years back that our male boa just loves. :)

goodwill is your friend for cheap, tacky, opaque, plastic, holiday containers

the shelves are typically packed with holiday stuff of all seasons

catch them at the right time & you can buy them at 5 to 10 cents a piece or even cheaper. I've even had them given to me when they don't have the lids for them anymore or they have a crack where I would cut out an opening anyway

go cheap on stuff like this & spring for quality high ticket items & it all evens out!