I have been owning b/ps for only a few years. However during that time I have changed from a 55g aquairums to a tubs. I had several reasons for this and it all had to do with how healthy my snake was. In the large tank he very rarely came out of his hides. His feeding responces where poor. He would climb up his branches and fall off of them. So I decided to get him a tub (now mind you he was about 1000gs) I got him a 32q tub. His feeding responces have gone way up. He is not hurting himself by falling. He is IMHO healther. He is not as shy when handled either. So I think that no it is not cruel. Again this is just my opion and the only way I have to judge how "happy" my snake is how well he is feeding and his reactions to handling (oh and he is very interested in breeding).

I also think it can depend on the snake. In the "wild" a snake is thinking about 3 things. 1. not getting eaten, 2 eating, 3 breeding. I really don't think they spend a lot of time wishing they could have a bigger house, more room to roam and such.

As bad as this sounds what is "happines" to a snake? There is cruel, putting a snake in a obviously too small tub, not keeping cages clean and no fresh water and things like that. Then there is just basic needs to live (the smallest place to live, clean water, clean cage). You can go to the moon from there, however after you go to a certian point it is ALL for the owner NOT for the snake.