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

[rabernet]

Almost identical? Far from it.

They are very different, in care requirements and in behavior. You have obviously not worked with Gaboons enough to witness a pissed off adult in full flow, they are NOT sluggish and slow. They may appear to be on the outside, but when they are in a bad mood they're one of the most formidable snakes on the planet. Ask any experienced venomous handler, if a Gaboon is 'Sluggish and slow'

Let me make sure I understand this.....you have never kept ball pythons, but know people who do - so that means by association, you know the best way to house ball pythons (after all - your way is right and everyone else is wrong - by your own admission).

But because someone didn't keep the exact animal you keep, then they couldn't possibly be able to debate with you about said animal....right?

And you also argue, how do we KNOW that our animals are happy the way that we keep them? Well - how do YOU know that yours are? How do you know that yours wouldn't be just as perfectly happy in a secure tub with newspaper that they can get under, water, and regular meals?

Just because yours is "prettier" and requires more work makes you more passionate as a keeper .... or wait - you said it doesn't take you more time, so it's not about tubs being "easier" that makes us less passionate since according to your calculations, it doesn't require more time to maintain them?

When I started out, I provided a naturalistic enclosure for some of my ball pythons, they went off feed, and roamed all the time - a sign of stress in ball pythons. When I moved those same animals to appropriately sized tubs with snug hides - they began to feed vigorously. It was my PASSION for these critters to not wish to see them stressed by the extra stimulation I was providing them and to choose to keep them in a way that I believe was better for MY animals.