When do hides become too small?

[Emily Hubbard]

My girl has two upside down plastic bowls to hide under and she loves them. But lately, about half the time I peek in at her she is completely under them, and the other half of the time either her neck or her tail is sticking out the door. I try to never lift a hide off of her unless absolutely necessary because I want her to always feel secure under them, but I did the other day just to check how she was fitting in them and she's coiled pretty tight in there, but I know that's exactly how they like to be. Last night, I also saw her coiled and sleeping OUTSIDE of a hide all together, which she never does. She was on the warm side under some leaves and driftwood in a little nook, but not in the hide. She seemed perfectly content, resting her head in the middle of her coils like they do to be adorable, but it was out of the ordinary.

So, at what point do you guys up the size of your hides? If they can still scrunch in, do you leave them be? I did just give her a bigger humid hide because she was completely smushed in there for her last shed. haha. Poor thing. They grow up so fast....

[Mike41793]

As far as I know the tighter the better... As long as she can fit her whole body in it I wouldnt worry. Maybe start to think about upgrading to a larger one soon.

[deto360]

my cinni barly fits in her hide like u can still see her body once shes under it so i gave her a new one she didnt like it she stopped eatin i put the old one back and she started to eat but now that shes off feed imma switch her hide now

[cschneider]

I had one bp that got a few scratches from a hide that was too small. He would coil in so tight that the scales on his spine were getting rubbed a little so I would recommend getting a bigger one. I also started using cardboard boxes as hides so they "stretch" out when they are getting too small.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Emily Hubbard]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to look into upgrading, because once again, she is not in a hide currently, so I am guessing they are no longer comfortable for her all day long.

[adamjeffery]

i ditch the hides after 500 grams. imho and many others they are not needed after the snake has enough confidence due to size. i have no problems with any of my snakes eating or getting stressed. as long as the snake is in an appropriate size enclosure then "I" ditch the hides after the stated 500 grams.
adam jeffery

[reptidude1]

I keep my guys in a rack system and i give them a reptile basics small hide, and as soon as they grow out of it i get rid of the hide. All of my snakes thrive like this and ive never had a problem... But then again i have a rack system. If you want a new hide i suggest reptile basics hides. They last, look nice, and are made of a durable easy clean plastic

[Mike41793]

I keep my guys in a rack system and i give them a reptile basics small hide, and as soon as they grow out of it i get rid of the hide. All of my snakes thrive like this and ive never had a problem... But then again i have a rack system. If you want a new hide i suggest reptile basics hides. They last, look nice, and are made of a durable easy clean plastic

x2 on the reptile basic hides. I love the look of them!

[RichsBallPythons]

Trial and error. Take the hide out, if they continue to eat well, then they dont need one. None of my females use hides unless i see they need it.

[Emily Hubbard]

I don't have a rack and my viv is in the living room, so I will always offer hides. She is 200gm currently, so she has quite a bit of growing to do yet.