Question for those who you barren tubs

[bns]

I dont think the problem is racks.. If the animal has plenty of space within the tub, and enrichment in the tub.. Hides, coverage, substrate etc I see them on par with each other. I think the problem lays with plain tubs with just a water dish.. I know racks are the only option for certain individuals..

Okay. Me asking others for their opinions and sharing mine is not judging anyone. Just because something is the way it is and works, doesn't make it ideal or optimum. I believe the purpose of enrichment is giving the animal choice. Again, the information that I provided suggests that an animal eating, shedding, and breeding is not thriving but surviving. I post some information that was put together by an animal welfare scientist with numerous studies and it gets shot down (possibly without even reading very much of it) because breeders have been successful. I bring up a conversation starter to get other peoples OPINIONS. Thank you for sharing yours.

Jmarshall, congratulations to you! You are absolutely correct about eating/shedding/breeding is not thriving. Those are basic life functions and anything kept at the minimal standards will attempt to perform those basic life functions.

I started keeping reptiles in the '70's and it has been my experience that some people have more than a basic concern for reptiles as pets and some have an ability to see the fine details. The fine details are visible to those that look...those fine details are observing the habits of captive reptiles and understanding what is being observed. There is a hellavalot more to a critter performing basic life functions and a critter that is secure in its environment.

Observing how a boa (or other snake rests) is very telling. Hugging the water bowl, tightly coiled in the corner, head hiding between coils...these are not the signs of a secure critter and this behavior is most often seen on slick substrates.

Your critters have the answers...keep your mind open and observe.