Are hides necessary in racks?

[ScottS]

I just set up a rack I purchased from Animal Plastics (I'm very pleased with it). I was wondering if I need to put hides in there or do they feel secure enough in the Sterilite tubs? It appears to me on the Utube videos by the large breeders that most of them don't use them, but it is hard to tell for sure. It would greatly simplify feeding if the snake wasn't squirreled away in a hide. One concern I have is if they need something to rub against during a shed.

[redshepherd]

Depends on the size of the snake and the individual snake... small bp's would need hides. Some adults do too, or they won't eat.

[Oxylepy]

Always have hides for every snake in the rack. Whether the snake decides to use it or not is beside the point. Some snakes will, others wont. For the last 5 years my adult female pastel hasn't had a hide, recently after not eating she has become extremely restless. I placed a hide in there and she calmed down substantially.

I don't tend to give them hides, but when they need them I have them on hand.

[JodanOrNoDan]

None of my larger adults have hides (2000 grams or larger). Four of my smaller adults do. They will not eat without them.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

What I always tell people it's better to provide something and it not being used than the opposite.

What I recommend is to provide an hide and if you see that the animal does not use it lays on the top of it or behind it, just remove it.

None of my adults have hides only a few hatchlings every now and then require them.