rack system hides

im currently looking into purchasing a rack system from rich@reptile basics and before i go into the purchase i was looking into getting some husbandry supplies first (i.e aspen, hides, thermometers etc)

my question for rack owners is..is it necessary to have 2 hides in a tub? i've been looking at other users setups that use racks/tubs and they only have one hide inside the tub...sooo i wasnt sure if the requirements changed once u change your setup.

That's a good question and sometimes I wonder the same thing. Most big breeders have rack systems lined up on the wall, so naturally, not much light will be getting to the back of the enclosure...so they just don't put a hide in the back. I say at least one hide in the front, which is what I do most of the time...sometimes two...depending on their size also.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

That's a good question and sometimes I wonder the same thing. Most big breeders have rack systems lined up on the wall, so naturally, not much light will be getting to the back of the enclosure...so they just don't put a hide in the back. I say at least one hide in the front, which is what I do most of the time...sometimes two...depending on their size also.

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hmmm..lol i think we need a breeders opinion for this one..and or some pix would be helpful

As you can see in my rack I have 2 hides, (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=52022) but honestly, when I bought those, I wasn't planning on having 2 in each, just one, I simply noticed that 2 fit so why not, but when the bp's get bigger and need a bigger hide, I think I'll just go with one. My question is if you only have one and have it at the front, what if your flexwatt is at the back? (as most people do, to my knowledge) Doesn't this mean your heated spot is gonna be open? Would a bp still feel secure there? If that makes any sense.

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

As you can see in my rack I have 2 hides, (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=52022) but honestly, when I bought those, I wasn't planning on having 2 in each, just one, I simply noticed that 2 fit so why not, but when the bp's get bigger and need a bigger hide, I think I'll just go with one. My question is if you only have one and have it at the front, what if your flexwatt is at the back? (as most people do, to my knowledge) Doesn't this mean your heated spot is gonna be open? Would a bp still feel secure there? If that makes any sense.

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thats just what i was about to bring up..what if your setup has back heat what would you do in that case..lol i think this thread seriously needs an experienced breeders opinion

I only provide one hide to my BP in my racks, never had any issues.

The one using the hide (not all do) move it around so they can either be on the warm side or the cool side.

I only have one hide and no issues.

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

As you can see in my rack I have 2 hides, (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=52022) but honestly, when I bought those, I wasn't planning on having 2 in each, just one, I simply noticed that 2 fit so why not, but when the bp's get bigger and need a bigger hide, I think I'll just go with one. My question is if you only have one and have it at the front, what if your flexwatt is at the back? (as most people do, to my knowledge) Doesn't this mean your heated spot is gonna be open? Would a bp still feel secure there? If that makes any sense.

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One thing I have noticed after switching to unprinted newsprint, is that the snakes can "slide" the hides to where (I assume) they want them. When I clean the CB-70 tubs I put a single cat pan hide in, and by the next morning most of the girls have slid the hide just off the hot spot. I noticed some then will move to the hot spot for a while, and then back to the hide. I have one girl that loves to sit right over the heat, but refuses the hide. She will "push" her hide clear to the front, or at least as far as the water dish will allow.

Neil

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

I only provide one hide to my BP in my racks, never had any issues.

The one using the hide (not all do) move it around so they can either be on the warm side or the cool side.

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Ha, you beat me to it ... :D

Neil

As I understand it, most breeders who use racks with three sides closed in do not use hides in their racks since in most circumstances there would be sufficient darkness in the tub to hide. Now, for those racks that are more open, I've seen hides used.


We have the three sided closed racks and do not use hides except in those few cases where the ball is very timid.

I currently offer one hide each to all of my balls in racks. The racks are black and three-sided. Some of them never use their hides, and some love them. One reason I offer them each a hide is to take up sme of the open space in the tub. Hiding behind a hide might be enough security for a certain snake.

because i use more of a "sideways" style, more light gets in so i use hides. some snakes use them some don't. if i notice they are never in there hides i take them out and see if they still eat. if they do eat, i'll keep the hide out.

I use aspen in my rack, and it is one of the open sided racks that I built myself. it is good and I put one hide in the back over the heat, they seem to like it fine. they sit in there and come out when they want and I have no worries.

I have both types of racks, and I offer hides and the hides get used. I assume that since they are using them, that means they like them. The ones in the open fronted rack do spend more time in the hides than those in the more enclosed rack.

I use a three sided rack system with heat tap on the underside of the back of the tub, I only provide a water dish they will go to the back of the tub if they need privacy. I find that 50/50 of the time they are at the back or the front, and they eat like champs. For the hatchlings on the other hand I provide 2 hides just because i can. I also use aspen for my base.