Big snakes, small enclosures.

[mumps]

I got into this hobby because reptiles fascinate the hell out of me. Their patterns, colors, behaviors, mysteriousness all intrigue me to no end.

I fail to see how putting a snake (of any size or shape) into a drawer like your socks is going to be a beneficial experience for either of you. You never get to know them, they are less likely to get to know you. You can't observe without disturbing them - if you think pulling the drawer out doesn't disturb them, then you have a thing to learn about how receptive they are to movement - You can't even make a quick visual check before going to bed.

You think they are content in there? Just because you can't hear them saying "Get me the .... out of here!" doesn't mean they aren't saying it.

I think a problem a lot of you suffer from is the money-issue. If big breeders can make all that money and be successful breeding by using these tubs then they must be all that. Just because something works doesn't mean it is good for the animals. Chickens lay a lot of eggs cooped up 4 in a square foot of space. Does that mean they're happy? Gorillas in zoos used to live in a concrete room with a tire on a chain. They lived, grew old and entertained millions of visitors. Why the change to large natural environments where on some days visitors never even get to see them?

I guess what it boils down to is personal preferance. I like to see, touch, interact and learn from my animals. Nothing is cooler to me than to have something which so many fear and loathe trust you and know that you mean them no harm. I'm talking gators, varanids and the giant snakes. They, to me, are the best. So maybe that's one of the reasons... am I jealous that I can't find a tub big enough for 7 foot water monitors? Or 16 foot retics? No. I just don't comprehend the idea of purchasing a 5 thousand dollar morph and stuffing it into a drawer and looking at it once a week...

The only tub I would agree upon would be the 8 footers Brian mentioned. I would suppose that would be alright for a blood python.

And I am not attacking Brian. He has a huge business and he is doing the best he can in order to make a living. He's a mass production facility. Not a hobbyist. He makes lots of cool snakes that only other mass production facilities can afford. Good for him.

Chris