OK I keep getting flack for keeping my snakes in a rack system

[Kaorte]

Ah the classic naturalistic viv VS. bare bones tub setup.

I appreciate both. I save my naturalistic enclosures for snakes that will actually utilize them. all of my arboreals are kept in exo terras or large PVC enclosures because, unlike ball pythons, they actually like to be out in the open and are often seen moving around. I'd rather look at that then a $20 "naturalistic" rock cave hide that has my pet snake in it somewhere.

I just don't see the point in keeping a snake that spends 90% of its time hiding in a beautiful viv if I will never (or rarely) see the snake utilizing it.

For venomous animals, I absolutely understand the want and need to replicate the natural environment. I think you have done a great job and I applaud your efforts.

However, not all snakes are the same. Ball pythons in particular are just not the most active of snakes. If I thought keeping them in a naturalistic enclosure would increase their quality of life by a large margin, I would be keeping them in naturalistic tanks.

Here is where it comes down to personal opinion. In my personal opinion, a plastic tub creates the same environment that I would be creating in a naturalistic viv. The only difference is the size and material. The snake doesn't give two poops about what the humid, warm, and cozy environment is made of. It just cares that it feels safe.

To say someone cares less about their animals because they don't enjoy cleaning dirt, leaves, plants, numerous hides, and all the other goodies that go into a naturalistic viv is just not okay by my standards. I enjoy taking care of my animals. Even cleaning up huge poops. I'd rather not go digging through a 6' enclosure looking for said poops though.

It's about what you can handle as a keeper. If you can't handle to maintain 20 naturalistic enclosures, you probably shouldn't have them. But if you can handle 20 simple setups, then by all means go for gold.

There is nothing wrong with either setup. One does not make you any less passionate than the other as long as the animals are healthy.

You will not be able to change the minds of the majority based on your experience with a few hots. I'd just like for you to understand that no one here lacks passion, otherwise there would be no one here! No one is asking you to change your ways, therefor you should do us the same courtesy.