What is the best type of hide?

[xxxxdopeyxxxx]

What type of hides do you use? I prefer one that looks more natural opposed to plastic containers with holes in them. I'm not sure which i s the best suited for bps. I have read that the log hides don't provide enough security. What’s your take on that?

[BJJPython]

Ball Pythons typically want something where they feel secure, if possible, something that they can barely fit into, and would touch them on all sides. I typically use the fake rocks you can buy at petco, with one opening about 1.5in wide, but if you don't want to spend the money, anything similar will work, but I would shy away from anything pourous (like cardboard boxes), simply because of the urates will get in there and trapped, and can be very hard to clean and you will probably have to throw them away

Half logs are not ideal because they simply dont give your BP enough security, which can lead to stress, not eating, erratic behavior etc. Pet stores typically only use them to allow customers to see the animals, because otherwise they would just hide (which is pretty much what BPs do for a living, that, and own mice!)

Long story short, any enclosed hide with 1 opening is sufficient, half-logs are just a waste of $$

[butters!]

the zilla caves are my favorites.a lil more expensive than the plastic ones but they look alot better imo

[seeya205]

I use and love these ones - http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_cave.php

[nixer]

anything similar will work, but I would shy away from anything pourous (like cardboard boxes), simply because of the urates will get in there and trapped, and can be very hard to clean and you will probably have to throw them away

Half logs are not ideal because they simply dont give your BP enough security, which can lead to stress, not eating, erratic behavior etc. Pet stores typically only use them to allow customers to see the animals, because otherwise they would just hide (which is pretty much what BPs do for a living, that, and own mice!)

Long story short, any enclosed hide with 1 opening is sufficient, half-logs are just a waste of $$

also half logs hold in urates, poo, bacteria

[JLC]

I can promise you that the snake itself doesn't care what the hide looks like. They don't know what "natural" looks like. Such things are purely at the pleasure of the keeper. All the snake NEEDS is something that they feel secure and snug in...something that can be easily cleaned....and something that can be easily lifted off for quick, safe access to the snake. (You don't want something they can crawl into and you can't get them out of)

Once those primary needs are considered....whatever you want to use will work fine. Here's a fun thread that shows a couple of different, inexpensive hide options, and gives an indication of just how snug they like to feel...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35212

[Kaorte]

I can promise you that the snake itself doesn't care what the hide looks like. They don't know what "natural" looks like. Such things are purely at the pleasure of the keeper. All the snake NEEDS is something that they feel secure and snug in...something that can be easily cleaned....and something that can be easily lifted off for quick, safe access to the snake. (You don't want something they can crawl into and you can't get them out of)

Once those primary needs are considered....whatever you want to use will work fine. Here's a fun thread that shows a couple of different, inexpensive hide options, and gives an indication of just how snug they like to feel...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35212

Couldn't say it better myself!

[Vypyrz]

I can promise you that the snake itself doesn't care what the hide looks like. They don't know what "natural" looks like. Such things are purely at the pleasure of the keeper. All the snake NEEDS is something that they feel secure and snug in...something that can be easily cleaned....and something that can be easily lifted off for quick, safe access to the snake. (You don't want something they can crawl into and you can't get them out of)

Once those primary needs are considered....whatever you want to use will work fine. Here's a fun thread that shows a couple of different, inexpensive hide options, and gives an indication of just how snug they like to feel...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35212

I used to use the cave hides but I got tired of scrubbing them every week. And one of them slipped out of my hand and went through the bottom of the tank Now I use the Reptile Basics hides. Light weight, easy to clean, and dark...



"Does this hide make me look fat?"...

[Oxylepy]

http://reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.htmlse

I use large ones for all 3 of my snakes, and while they're too big for 2 of them they both seem quite content with them, they just go behind them or into the side without the door.

Mind that I have a rack and it's set up to be quite dark in the back, so I only bother with one hide, instead of worrying about 2+. And yes they do thermoregulate to the front of the tub when they need to.