Quote Originally Posted by GirDance View Post
Why does it seem that certain people like to pipe up and tell a new keeper who doesn't have much experience or research under their belt that they can do something which without *tons* of attention, effort, care and knowledge, they are able to/can/should do the complete opposite of what is recommended and proven on the large scale.... THEN the thread ends up becoming arguing back and forth between tons of members and those one or two members who just feel the need to point out that there *can* be other ways of doing things....

SO lets just put it this way, just because you've put in the time and effort or research to learn that there are deviations from the 'norm' doesn't mean that those deviations work for everyone. The people who can successfully deviate due to extensive knowledge and effort are *not* the ones coming to an online reptile community asking questions and having problems with care and *THEREFORE* members doing this shouldn't be advising that they can or should deviate from proven husbandry methods.

Most people coming here for help are advised to move to tubs, properly set up two hides and water, and accurite temps and humidity... Why? Because they've never owned snakes before, tubs are proven to be the simplest way to provide the snake with basic needs, ensure they're eating and healthy and 'happy'. These aren't the sorts of people who should be advised to go out and keep a 55-90 gal tank, which will be very tough for someone new to the hobby to maintain proper temps and humidity in, which, if not set up meticulously will make the snake feel insecure, and which, without extensive research into normal snake pathology and behaviour and constant supervision should never be told they can house two together.

So what, it works for you. You feel that you have the years of experience, research and ability to do this. That's fine, but someone who has never kept snakes before, isn't already fully aware of husbandry and reptile behaviours, and is asking for help because their current husbandry is not working *is not you* and *it does not/is not working for them* which is exactly why they are being advised to move away from all these deviations in the first place.
No one said to move away from tubs... or did I miss this? Tubs are easy to maintain, clean etc... and the snakes do their thing properly in there as well. Does that mean that a big tank that is maintained properly by an experienced keeper is worse? No, of course not. Is it worse for an inexperienced keeper? Yes, of course it is. So I am with you basically, but again, I do not believe one bit that a BP does feel uncomfortable in a well maintained big tank with plenty of hides.