Small tubs out of necessity or because of space?

I generally use whichever size the snakes seem to prefer by their eating habits. If I move a snake to a larger bin and it goes off feed for a few weeks, it goes back to the smaller bin. If it eats in the smaller bin, it stays in the smaller bin for a while longer before I attempt to move it to a larger. Right now, all my collection are in the larger bins finally, but I have new hatchlings in "shoebox" racks right now. I've had decent luck starting hatchlings in the shoebox racks, and little luck if I give them a "luxary suite" of a larger bin when I've tried. So now everyone starts in a shoebox size bin because that's what's worked for me.

Your title question seems to offer no "out" though? Necessity or space? Does that mean "necessity due to what the snakes want" or "necassity due to not wanting to buy bigger bins"? I think most all of the keepers on here tend to use what works best for their animals.

Thanks for all the responses. The question was referring to if snakes prefer really small tubs or do breeders with large numbers of snakes prolong to transfer to a larger tub because of resources available? From here on I will be always putting BPs 400 grams or less in 6 or 15 qt tubs, and will be moving them up to 32 qt tub at an individual rate.

The breeders I know keep snakes in smaller tubs due to space.

It has been proven repeatably that small snakes do well in correctly set up enclosures large or small. I don't buy into small tubs are better I'd say small or big is just different styles, just like naturalistic, minimal and bioactive are different. I know people whom have been keeping royals healthy in huge enclosures and small ones it isn't the enclosure but the keeper that makes the difference.

It is very difficult to get a any kind of real temperature gradient in a small space, few manage it. It usually takes a larger space to accomplish, even then it isn't as easy as it sounds. Again they don't seem to need it just spots.

There is myths revolving around this issue but I believe them to be myths if they were not smaller snakes would not commonly be reported doing well in larger tanks enclosures or other wise. A minimalist approach may not work well but the many other styles of enclosure seem to work just fine.

I keep royals in tubs, tanks, modified tanks, and enclosures, one being quite large, they all feed and grow and are perfectly healthy. That includes the my first snake I got as a hatchling whom grew up in a fairly large enclosure (30x24) he has been, and continues to be, a great aggressive feeder and super healthy well adjusted snake.

it would be hard to have 20 or 80 enclosures of that size if I was interested in breeding I'd have racks I don't know anyone whom is serious about breeding whom doesn't use racks. It just isn't efficient. That doesn't mean it has to be a small tub.

Very well put! Once my spider male is no longer needed in my breeding projects (when he becomes replaced by a double gene male with spider in it) I will be making a decently large naturalistic enclosure for him. He has the best personality I have ever seen in a snake and I would like him (mostly his habitat) to be seen and appreciated for what it is. You said it perfectly kitedemon, the keeper is the one who controls the success of his or her animals not the size of tub, tank, or whatever.

It's always a case by case basis for me, in general I keep BP up to 250/300 grams in 6 quarts tubs they feel secure never miss a meal and that is what works for them :gj:

Once they reach 300 grams it's either 32 quarts or 41 quarts, depends on the animal and how well they are doing.

Of course I do have some exceptions as well, I have animals in the 800/900 grams range who are in 15 quarts tubs because they do poorly in anything bigger (It's temporary but it's what is needed at that specific time)

Space is not an issue here it's all about what works for each individual.

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread, but didn't feel like opening a new one...

How long will a 10-gallon tank last (on terms of her size. 2 years?)