I almost always keep snakes in cluttered cages, the sterile minimalistic seems to be a N. American trend and many in Europe have a different style. I don't bother to remove anything I just always keep a space clear for the strike zone an they feed where they want to. I keep close tabs on them in case they catch some thing as well but have never had an issue. Most of mine strike just at the mouth of the door I don't always get rats inside at all.