Tubs -- hides, or no hides?

[chapskis1]

I am planning on building a rack -- hopefully in the near future.

I was wondering what most of you do for hides. I have seen on here that some of you don't use them; some use one, and some use two. So, what do you use, and what is your reasoning?

Ideally, I would like it if I didn't have to use any. It seems if I had to put two in there for more 1200g male that there wouldn't be much room left in a 32 qt tub.

How about those that use one hide? It seems like that would be worse than no hides -- wouldn't the bp just hang in the one hide all the time, and sacrifice proper temp for security?

Thanks,

George

[bones93]

I have all my snakes in racks and I dont generally keep hides in there. There are a few balls that prefer them for the most part they hide under the news paper. I havent really seen any difference in feeding and they dont seem stressed to me. Just my opinion. I know a few guys who keep hides in there and some who dont. Maybe just a matter of what you want. But I personally dont like having a 32qt tub cluttered up with a hide. Just my thoughts

[Aes_Sidhe]

In My opinion it all depends from size of tub and sise of python. i'm buying right now 41qt rack from reptilebasic for my 1200+ gram YB female. i'm gonna put 1 hide for a comfort for her... but i the same rack i'm gonna keep around 600-700g male as well and for him i for sure gonna put 2 hides just because i know 41 qt tub is a little bit too much for snake this size

[Aeries]

Is you rack enclosed so that all but one side of the tub is covered up? If so, the rack almost works as a hide. I'd probably put at least one in their anyways though. If alot of the tub is uncovered however, I would have more hides. If you're worried about room, try some fake foliage to at least offer a bit of cover.

[mechnut450]

built my racks and offered hides to some ( taken them out recently to be cleaned and keep forgetting ot place them back in ) but everyone doing ok without them. but then my racks are only open in the front, the sides and back are solid since i used plywood to build mine. I made hte rack large enoug hthey can take my tubs with the lids on and locked as well as wider ( if I ever can find a tun that less than 7 inches tall ) I can move the rack center support or when I rebuild the shelves with heavier plywood to prevent sagging no dividers.. Before you build, get the tubs and such ( or th hides) consider ifthey fit into the rack or the tub with out pushing against the top or casue a gap that the snaek might to squeesze though. ( reason I like my lids on they an top they can't get though and still have some space incase I need to pull it out and not hurt the snake if they got stuck trying to get out as the lid would be against the wood and not the snake .

[chapskis1]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think once I get my rack built I will probably see how things go without hides. If I have trouble with any of the tenants, then I will use hides as needed.

Later,

George

[Danounet]

I use one hide because my rack is in my room which of course has A/C running and I dont want them staying in the cold side for too long. They do come out at nite and move about.

[CoolioTiffany]

If the tubs are not see through, and stay pretty dark, I don't see the point in having a hide. But some Ball pythons need a hide to feel more secure, and if they don't feel secure even in a dark tub they won't eat.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I offer one hide to everybody.

Some use it some don't.

I would rather provide an hide and the hide not being needed than not providing one and it being needed.