Racks!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Very true! I agree about not putting holes for awhile until you see if you need them

[Aes_Sidhe]

Ok I am really new to this. Can someone show me the link of what of what rack they recommend the most. I’ve got a male ball python, and hopefully more pythons to come! Thanks for all the support and guidance!

http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-sw...y-or-back-heat

That's the one I'm using at the moment my male is around 1150g my female around 990g

[Druzy]

Ok I know that I must inlcude belly heat, but what are tub dividers?

[Aes_Sidhe]

Ok I know that I must inlcude belly heat, but what are tub dividers?

With divider you can separate tub for 2 compartments for smaller snakes.... if you plan buying small balls in the future (hatchings, yearlings) set of two can be useful.. if You decide buy rack for them check they hide selection they are very nice as well... I'll use medium hide up to 1000g and large for my bigger male...
Hope that helps

Edit: this is a link to tread about RBI dividers with exact rack I use...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t=tub+dividers

[Druzy]

Ok one more quick question do you perfer display cages over racks? I personally love display cages, but with a snake like a ball python I believe the rack system is a excellent enclosure. Plus with a rack system that means more ball pythons!!!!

[Aes_Sidhe]

Even with so many amazing colorful morph... ball python is not a display animal and they best feel in secure enclosure... so rack system is Ideal for them...

[spitzu]

If I ever decide to stop breeding/collecting I will probably get rid of the racks and get some displays for the 3 or 4 favorites that I'll keep. There is just no room or time for that now.

[DC Reptiles]

I use to have mine in tanks and it was just to much room being taken up, when I changed over to racks it was so much easier and a nicer set up. I will be getting a third and forth here shortyly for my hatchlnigs.

[Druzy]

I do like the rack system better for ball pythons for:
1.The snake is more happier
2.Less cleaning
3.Takes up less space
4.Seems like you save more money
5.Also if I ever get into breeding

Also what snakes should not be housed in racks?

[kitedemon]

Racks are great on one level and poor on others just like everything they certainly do not solve all problems magically.

They do save space tons of space.

I spend the same amount of time cleaning my rack as I do enclosures. There is no spot cleaning a rack just change everything and monthly cleanings are a right pain, the top of each shelf is a nightmare to clean, I have taken to flipping the whole rack upside down to do the underside.

The cost is a bit less in the short term but more in the long term they are very very poor for holding in heat so the result is you either need to heat the room or heat the rack somehow (cool end)

The keeper makes the captive environment correct not the rack it can be set up just as poorly as a enclosure.

I am not trying to talk you out of a rack just keep your eyes open to the reality of it, there is no just get a ___ and all your problems are fixed. The reality is get a ___ and have new problems. I like my rack I also like my enclosures and the rack took much more tinkering with to get temps correct.