What's With Keeping Snakes In Racks Small Without Hides?

[KayLynn]

The tubs I keep my snakes in are set up like a tank enclosure. They have substrate, natural hides, water, and plant clutter. Just because it's a tub doesn't mean it has to be newspaper and no hides, which is the impression I get from most people who are against them. I believe rack systems are the best way to house ball pythons, not due to time and space (although those are nice bonuses), but because I've seen the difference of a snake in a tank vs tub, and 90% of the time they seem healthier and less stressed when they're in the tub.

When I first stared this hobby 10 years ago, I acquired 4 snakes within a year and a half, and at that time I had 2 years experience working at a facility that had large boas and pythons. They were all in tanks at the beginning, but I switched when I picked up my fourth snake. My snakes were already healthy and I took good care of them, I'd never had issues with RI's or food refusal, but I could still see a difference. Sheds were consistently much better, temps and humidity were WAY more consistent (I barely ever have to spray), they were less inclined to hiss or stress when I handled them, and the list goes on. When I saw the difference with the snakes I owned, I convinced the place I worked at to keep their snakes in a rack system when they weren't on display. In the long run the investment of a rack system saved them money, too.

Also, glass tanks are just a hassle regardless (in my opinion and my experience). If you want to keep a bp as a display animal and not struggle with humidity, temps and whatever else, there are cages - like the ones from AP - that function and look so much better than a tank ever could.