Your opinions are greatly appreciated...

[Eric Alan]

I'm not running a "breeder mill" or tub farm for my "pets"...
I spend a lil more on a comfortable place that resembles their natural habitat...in case you forgot, these are snakes, not your grandpas old playboy collection. I'm a naturalist, not a capitalist, theres no monetary interest I'm looking to gain.

I would advise against being so quick to judge someone based solely upon the material their animal's enclosures are made of. It's a HUGE leap from rack system to "breeder mill" and to equate the two is offensive and a huge disservice to the hobby we all share.

The reason racks/tubs are as popular as they are is because they are specifically designed to meet the requirements for a proper ball python enclosure - 1) be secure, 2) be moisture resistant, and 3) be able to retain both heat and humidity. For the keeper, meeting these needs means that they can enjoy their snake without having to worry about the heat, humidity, or an escapee. For the snake, meeting these needs results in proper sheds, proper digestion, better eating, and a less stressed and overall happy/healthy snake. As you're well aware, these basic needs can also be met in a display enclosure (glass tank, vivarium, etc) with the proper equipment and kudos to you for doing so. But why judge someone else who's also meeting the needs of their animals?

Along those same lines, there's far more to a natural habitat than simply using natural materials. The habitat we are aiming to replicate is the inside of an underground burrow or termite mound. Those spaces have specific environments that ball pythons have adapted to, which properly maintained racks/tubs replicate quite well. It is not a selfish capitalist choice to use a rack/tub system - far from it actually.

Ultimately, though, it shouldn't matter what a person's methods or motivations are as long as the animals in their care are healthy and thriving.

...that way you'll quit assuming I'm some kid who just got home from the local petsmart!!!

There we go again judging a person based on an arbitrary choice - where they purchased their animal. Nevermind the fact that that kid just made the fantastic choice to join the hobby which we all share and love.