Choosing a favorite hide over temp?

[ApathyAngel]

So Jeffrey has a favorite hide. It's been hers for years, she got too fat for it, and I've been trying to upgrade her to a bigger one. Unfortunately she's 2400 grams so I'm limited in what is big enough for her. Her favorite one doesn't come in a larger size, but I found a really nice one that looks like a log and is plenty big enough for her.

Except she doesn't want the bigger one. She wants the one she's too fat for.

It doesn't matter if I move it to the middle or cold side of the tank, wherever that hide is, that's where she sits. If I take it out of the tank, to force her to get used to the other hides, she just prowls the tank and eventually reluctantly uses her log, but then I'm down a hide, and I really want her to have three.

My concern is that she may be prioritizing her favorite house over temperature regulation and temperature comfort. If she's too hot/too cold, she still won't leave that hide. And I finally figured out that I can sort of dig out the bedding underneath it to give her more room, so she can at least fit in the thing now. But I still want her to be able to move to one of the other hides. It doesn't matter which side of the tank the hide is on, I've had it on both the hot and cold sides, and she still uses it exclusively unless I take it out.

Am I overthinking this, or should I push her to get more comfortable with her other two hides, to encourage her to switch more freely between them? I want her to be comfortable enough to use the middle and cold hides if she feels that need.



The hide on the left is her favorite. I've had to dig out the bedding inside it to make her fit, but she enjoys it and seems to choose that hide over regulating her body temperature.

But she's healthy, she sheds and eats just fine, I occasionally catch her drinking water, it doesn't seem like it's hurting her at all. So maybe I'm just overthinking it, but she's made it her life goal to be an ******* and make me doubt all my life decisions, so I figured I'd get the opinions of people who are more experienced than I am.



This is the face of an *******, I tell you.

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[Malum Argenteum]

Yes, snakes will chose a favorite location based on temps, moisture levels, position in the enclosure, hide size/material/position, and probably other factors we can't recognize. Kind of like people, they'll make a choice but it won't always be the most sensible one.

I would assume your snake is focusing on the security that the favorite hide gives (the log one is really cool looking, but probably has too many openings in it). Finding a couple more with that basic design (one hole, tightish fit for the snake), whether or not they're visually attractive, might be better from the snake's POV.

I personally like random pieces (tubes, half rounds and flats) of cork bark, as many of them as is practical, thoughout an enclosure. They give lots of very random nooks and crannies for a snake to choose from, and if you stack them a little the snake can choose from substrate contact or not (and also get a little climbing action if they choose).

[Bogertophis]

Many snakes, including ambush-predators like BPs, seem to prefer a hides with a cozy "feel" for safety from predators. This often means a preference for low ceilings (affords "back pressure"), & only one doorway (so predators cannot sneak up on them) that's not overly-large. At least these are the assumptions we make, as snakes can't tell us directly. what they want. And many owners find their snakes using the preferred hide over whether or not it's the optimum temperature. This is one reason that some advocate using identical hides- so you know it's not really about the hide but the choice of temperature you're seeing.

Identical hides are sorta boring though- & I like to offer variable "furnishings" as Malum suggested. As far as the hide "with too many openings", you might try re-positioning that at the back to give more privacy, & maybe with something (like a plant) mostly blocking the main doorway. I think it's fun to try different things to see what my own snakes prefer- they have their own opinions, & as rat snakes, they're often more inclined to exploration & their needs differ quite a bit from what BPs usually like to hole up in.

[ApathyAngel]

Thank you both for your advice. I like the idea of being able to stack cork bark, or some kind of stackable hide, to give her access to climbing if she wants. The cage she's in now is massive, it has a ton of vertical space that I've been trying to figure out how to take advantage of, but she's too big for any of the driftwood and resin climbing branches I've seen for sale. A stackable hide is a good idea that I'll look into.

And it occurs to me I can get a second one of her favorite hides to put on the cold side, so at least she'll have one in each side with the log in the center. That way it'll give the cage enough visual variety so it looks better from my perspective but will still give her options that she's comfortable with, and she can still have her log in the middle.

I just want her to have the best options available and the best life I can give her. If identical hides are the way to convince her to regulate her body temp, that's what I'll do. But I do personally like the visual appeal of different hides, and she does use her log if her favorite one is taken out. The picture doesn't do her size justice because the tank is so big (definitely a good thing, I'm much happier with the larger tank than the old glass one she literally could not fit in anymore), but I'm learning that they don't make many nice-looking hides and enrichment big enough for her weight.

That log was almost $50, and she doesn't hate it, she just doesn't use it if her favorite one is available. Getting a second one of her favorite hides for the cool side and digging the bedding out under it will hopefully be an acceptable compromise for Her Exalted Highness, and will make her more comfortable moving to the cold side if she gets warm.

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[ApathyAngel]

Oh and I do want to point out that the log only has 3 openings, and one of them is pressed up against the back of the tank. It's mainly the fact that it's taller and larger, so it doesn't give her the same "snug" feel, but the only reason I upgraded to a larger one in the first place was because she is honestly just too big for the favorite one. Obviously digging out the substrate works well enough, she fits fine now, but before that, a good chunk of her body was sticking out of the opening. I included a couple of pictures that show the size a little better. She's not *that* much smaller than the log itself.

She's just picky and delights in my misery. And don't tell anyone, but I wouldn't want her any other way. It just means I'm gonna come back here more often with questions.

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[Bogertophis]

I think there's nothing wrong with using furnishings like that one with 3 holes as "enrichment", but I don't consider them as hides (& obviously snakes don't either). It should be "in addition to" rather than "in place of" something more suitable (for best results). And it's not as if it's hard to provide something that truly works, even if it's not something fancy from a store...a hide can be a modified cardboard box...your snake won't care if it meets the right specs- if it feels private to them. Try it & see. Forget your aesthetics for the time being- provide what your snake wants & see.

(Admittedly, cardboard has a few drawbacks for snakes like BPs that need higher humidity & heat- it won't last long, but it's at least an option to experiment.)

[dakski]

ApathyAngel, it is clear you want what's best for Jeffrey and you have given this a lot of thought. That's great.

There has been great advice already, but I wanted to give my two cents and see if I can add anything useful.

Many Snakes, and I think BP's fall into this category, will choose safety (staying alive) over temperature (digesting food). Most of my snakes stay cool side or middle unless they are digesting or in shed. I offer identical hides for all my snakes on the hot and cool side and if there is room and the snake wants it (my BP and my corn snakes) I add a middle/ambient hide (sometimes a different size).

I would definitely try identical hides and make sure they are snug hides.

I like basic plastic hides (easy to clean and cheap). For example, https://www.reptilebasics.com/large-hide-box and https://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes. Large or extra large are probably best. The only snake I use Jumbo for is my 6FT+ female boa who is almost 9 pounds/4+kg.

You can get them other places as well, but I they have a good description and suggestions for the different size hides.

Try offering the same size hides on the hot and cool side and see what happens. I think you will find Jeffrey likes it.