Racks vs Cages

[reptileexperts]

ball pythons are naturally found living inside of termite mounds, and would rarely see the surface. If you were to keep them in viewable enclosures, the hides would be of most importance to reduce stress in the animals. In which case, yes you will be looking at a pretty tank that you snake would likely only explore during the night time hours. So does having that big spacious enclosure make sense?

Well, since we enjoy relating animals to humans instead of the other way around, we think that the animal would feel more comfortable in such an exhibit. However, the truth rests somewhere in the middle. Because of the very nature of ball pythons, most if not all, thrive inside a tub enclosure - it's secure, its dark, and can hold humidity extremely well. Inside a larger display, your animals may feel more vulnerable, stop eating, stress, lose weight, or they may thrive and be active all the time. It can come down to a per snake basis, but by and large most folks notice the best result in a rack style system.

Now, don't let our friends in Europe read this, or we may get the good ole "poor americans torture animals in racks" speech like they do in the retic community, helodermia community, and ball python community. . . sigh.

[ItsAllNew2Me!]

I personally think it is preference, space and money combined. I have snakes both in tanks and in a rack. I like the rack much more as most of my snakes are now in one small area of my home and i don't have a bunch of tubs or tanks everywhere (which my fiance hates). It also is cheaper than purchasing 16 more tanks along with full accessories. I now can get a new snake and (after quarantine) house him for around $6. That is purchasing a tub and water bowl. My rack cost me around $300 to build vs around $200 (very basic starter setup) x 16 = $3200 for tanks! I honestly couldn't afford to house my new additions last year in anything else. So for me Racks all the way even though there is nothing wrong with tanks in my opinion .

[Clay Yingling]

I just did the math, and if i got a rack, instead of another cage, then I would save a little more than 100 dollars for the if I got a rack, then save a little more than 70 dollars for a thermostat, because if I had cages then I would have to get the herpestat 2 as opposed to the 1 since there is only one thing being heated as opposed to 2, and I would also have room for another snake as the rack j am looking at holds 3 adult ball pythons. I think the rack will be the way to go once my Firebee is an adult. And I can make some money and sell the 50 gallon for like 200$.

[Clay Yingling]

So I did some looking around and I found another type of rack for 195 dollars instead of 300 dollars. But it doesn't include bins and it has 40 dollar shipping. And the 300 dollar one includes bins and free shipping. They both include heating. What are the pros and cons of each. If I go with the 195 dollar one then I would have to spend 40 dollars worth of shipping and bins so they would both be about the same price. Also, what is better, belly heating or back heating. Here are the links for the two.
195$ http://www.apcages.com/home/Iris/cb70.htm
300$ http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-cb-70-rack

[LittleTreeGuy]

From what I've "heard", some peole like back/side heat for smaller snakes. Some say that as long as the snake is kept in mid-high 80 degrees all the time, it's sufficient. Others really like a hot spot with one area being around 90 degrees. I have heard good things about both of the vendors you posted. I'd say it comes down to what you like best and what you want to go with. I doubt one is really superior to the other, but maybe someone with experience in one or both of the products will chime in.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I use both back and belly thought I also heat the room.
Next couple racks I make are going to be only back heat just because it is easier.
They do not need to have belly heat.

[AKA Dave]

I just finished this rack in anticipation of more BPs in the future.


As you can see though, I have cages as well. Both have their advantages. Personally I like seeing my snakes from time to time. Although I don't feel the snakes in the rack will be neglected, I probably won't interact with them as much. It'll be nice to get those tubs off the top of my display rack though. Gotta finish building the rest of those too. Only 4 more to go!

Dave

[enginee837]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like BPs deserve a better and richer environment than just a rack type of home. I enjoy being able to see my angels exploring, climbing, basking, and hiding. It also allows me to keep an eye on them without disturbing them (to monitor temps and humidity). I prefer the large tanks because they are also more aesthetically pleasing. Of course not everyone agrees and some people are fine with stuffing snakes in drawers (lol), but I think they deserve better than that. Just my two cents.

I have noticed bp's raised in racks (the ones we have purchased from breeders) tend to stress and strike at the glass for quite a while. Not being able too see out of their cage for so long then all of the sudden having a front row seat to a world much larger than their own takes some adjusting. Once adjusted they do great, they don't even stay in their hides all the time.

I can't help to think the lack of stimulus leaves something to be desired but to each his/her own.

[O'Mathghamhna]

This is beautiful!! If you don't mind me asking, where did you find these pieces?

[O'Mathghamhna]

ball pythons are naturally found living inside of termite mounds, and would rarely see the surface. If you were to keep them in viewable enclosures, the hides would be of most importance to reduce stress in the animals. In which case, yes you will be looking at a pretty tank that you snake would likely only explore during the night time hours. So does having that big spacious enclosure make sense?

Well, since we enjoy relating animals to humans instead of the other way around, we think that the animal would feel more comfortable in such an exhibit. However, the truth rests somewhere in the middle. Because of the very nature of ball pythons, most if not all, thrive inside a tub enclosure - it's secure, its dark, and can hold humidity extremely well. Inside a larger display, your animals may feel more vulnerable, stop eating, stress, lose weight, or they may thrive and be active all the time. It can come down to a per snake basis, but by and large most folks notice the best result in a rack style system.

Now, don't let our friends in Europe read this, or we may get the good ole "poor americans torture animals in racks" speech like they do in the retic community, helodermia community, and ball python community. . . sigh.

Very well put. My babies have large hides on both sides of their tanks, plus vegetation, and driftwood. So there's lots of security offered while also giving them room to stretch out (which they do frequently) and explore. Very rarely do I find them tightly coiled or hiding their heads. They eat well, have very even and calm dispositions, and are thriving quite well! As you stated, it's probably best to judge this on a "per snake" basis. Mine are in a very quiet room and I check on them a few times a day (quietly) so there's minimal disturbance to them. I just love it, and for me personally it brings me great joy to furnish their big tanks with fun things for them to explore and hide in.

While rack/tub systems are certainly not harmful to the snakes, and they do serve some great purposes, I just can't help but feel like they foster the whole "snake collection" mentality, as opposed to the "these are living sentient beings who deserve enrichment and variety," just as they would have in the wild. Does that make sense? But as you stated, perhaps it's the side of me that personifies snakes with human emotion. Anyway, to each their own!