Is it ethical to keep snakes in rack systems?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Thank you; I do whatever it takes to make my snakes happy campers!

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And that's one of the best signs for a budding herper. Welcome aboard and we hope we can help you as much as possible. -Grins.- You'll definitely notice the passion here for these animals. Embrace it.

I didn't look through all the posts, but here's the link to the other thread found in BP Hus.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=81034


It's my opinion that snakes don't have emotions. I believe snakes are environmentally satisfied or not satisfied rather than happy or sad. They are not roamers/adventurers, and are quite satisfied in a small comfortable enclosure, they are simple creatures. If they don't eat, roam often, or stayed balled at all times you know they aren't satisfied or "happy" with their enclosure because of security/temps/humidity/etc.

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

... Colubrids?

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I keep all my corns in racks and/or shoe boxes. They told me just yesterday that they are happy. :P

I think ppl tend to put too much thought into this topic. If they are healthy and breeding then their "needs" are being met. These aren't mammals that crave our attention like my psycho Jack Russel Terrier.

New here but let me say when I read this thread I was like HUH?!

Let me reverse the question asked:
Is it ethical to keep snakes stressed out in a glass "show" tank?

That would make much more sense! Rack systems are designed to hide a snake and keep their temps and humidity as close as possible to their normal habitat.

Tanks on the other hand are possibly THE most stressful environments a snake can live in. The are constantly "on display" and being watched, they stress everytime someone walks by and THATS why they spend 90% of their time in those 2 small hides you NEED to provide.

A rack system on the other hand eliminates the stress of being on display gives then the proper temp and humidity (a good cage will as well but racks imo do it better) and will be dark and enclosed (just the way they like it)!

Remember Ball Pythons are one of the most bashful, shy snakes in the Python family they are by no means curious as to what's outside nor do they want to be looked at when they are curled up or hunting for prey, you snake may be accustomed to it but believe they do NOT like it.

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Originally Posted by JKExotics

New here but let me say when I read this thread I was like HUH?!

Let me reverse the question asked:
Is it ethical to keep snakes stressed out in a glass "show" tank?

That would make much more sense! Rack systems are designed to hide a snake and keep their temps and humidity as close as possible to their normal habitat.

Tanks on the other hand are possibly THE most stressful environments a snake can live in. The are constantly "on display" and being watched, they stress everytime someone walks by and THATS why they spend 90% of their time in those 2 small hides you NEED to provide.

A rack system on the other hand eliminates the stress of being on display gives then the proper temp and humidity (a good cage will as well but racks imo do it better) and will be dark and enclosed (just the way they like it)!

Remember Ball Pythons are one of the most bashful, shy snakes in the Python family they are by no means curious as to what's outside nor do they want to be looked at when they are curled up or hunting for prey, you snake may be accustomed to it but believe they do NOT like it.

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I suppose a display cage like AP or Boaphile, with three enclosed, dark sides, is less stressful for the snake. :)

I only read the first page and skimmed the last. However, I raise the question of obesity. Snakes are so lazy as it is. I'm not saying give a BP a room but if you can provide proper conditions outside of a tub as easily then I believe you shoot. Here's the hypocritical side, I'm using a rack right now until I can afford to build my own cages. They won't be big, but bigger than what the tub is and I am taking into consideration all the needs of the animal.


Short answer is tubs are great and they don't matter to your animal. However, for display and to reduce the chance of obesity get a cage and make it suitable for the animal.

One thing to keep in mind is the natural behavior of the Ball Python. Ball Pythons spend 75% or more of their lives in burrows under ground. Literally eating everything they find in one burrow, then laying up in that burrow and digesting their meal, only to move on to the next burrow and meal. Tight cramped burrows are where they feel the most secure and spend the bulk of their lives.

Is it legal to keep ball pythons in racks in the U.S? Over here in Sweden it's not legal, the encloser have to be much bigger. So if you keep snakes in racks over here you have to be careful not to get busted or they will take all your animals away from you.

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Originally Posted by Mikkla

Is it legal to keep ball pythons in racks in the U.S? Over here in Sweden it's not legal, the encloser have to be much bigger. So if you keep snakes in racks over here you have to be careful not to get busted or they will take all your animals away from you.

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Bizarre! As they guys say their BPs do great in racks

That is one of the more ridiculous laws I have heard regarding snakes.

Gotta love human emotions coming into play when making laws for non-human species.

Or rather non-herpers making the laws.

Bruce