If it aint broke, why fix it?

[mikedahitman87]

I am at the 1 1/2 month mark as a bp owner. He has a great feeding response (except when he was in the blue), poops look good, and his last shed was perfect and came off all in one piece. He exhibits the normal bp behavior of sleeping and hiding all day and coming out when the lights go out. His enclosure seems to be a good size for him and the temps and humidity seem to be good.

What would be a reason to change anything?

I only ask this question because I see a lot of advice being offered on the forum and some arguments that usually come down to "do what's best for you and your snake". I think that people should ask themselves the title question before they make any serious changes such as switching between f/t and live or tubs and tanks.

Let me know what you think

[drugaria]

as long as you have a termostat and stable correct temperatures and humidity, good substrate hydes, and a day night cycle and you are taking good care of the snake that's all it takes.

[missi182]

Owners change their enclosures, either entirely or partly, in correspondence to the needs of the snake, or even their own. Just because your enclosure can support all of the requirements of your bp, does not mean it cannot be bettered.

I personally make changes when it allows for greater simplicity. I also make changes for aesthetic reasons, as long as this does not affect my bp negatively.

So are you asking why we suggest changes when you do not think they are needed? It is always up to the owner to decide what changes are necessary or required, and when members suggest changes it is not always because something is being done wrong, just differently or perhaps more complexly. I appreciate the criticism on my enclosure as it can help point out where I can make improvements.

[mikedahitman87]

So are you asking why we suggest changes when you do not think they are needed? It is always up to the owner to decide what changes are necessary or required, and when members suggest changes it is not always because something is being done wrong, just differently or perhaps more complexly. I appreciate the criticism on my enclosure as it can help point out where I can make improvements.

I asked because there are some people who probably read a bunch of different books and read a lot of posts and get confused or let themselves be convinced to do unnecessary things. For example, this afternoon I was pretty convince I need to switch my bp to a tub. Then I thought to myself: do i really want to change anything so close to feeding day? I decided to leave him in the tank.

As far as changing substrates or aesthetics, I consider those minor changes that most cases don't seem to have much of an effect on your snake's health.

[missi182]

Well switching to a tub is a good idea if it is to benefit the snake. For example for those with major humidity problems, a tub is a good idea. But if you have the proper heat gradient, humidity and husbandry in a tank, then no you do not NEED to change it. I do not agree that people read a bunch of different books then make unnecessary changes, unless they are uneducated and use those books as their sole source of information.

[nevohraalnavnoj]

hmmm....it sounds like your setup is pretty good, so I wouldn't worry. but just because something "ain't broke" yet, doesn't mean it never will be. I believe that saying flies in the face of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Stay vigilant, but not paranoid is my advice

JonV

[frankykeno]

It depends on the situation really. 6 weeks with one snake isn't going to give you or anyone else the overall, long term experience of knowing what might in the end affect the snake adversely. These snakes don't always react to something immediately. Stress over a long time due to improper housing, feeding or handling can end up with refusals, poor health, an RI, continual poor shedding, etc.

Most people hopefully will give advice based on real time, hands on, long time experience. As a new keeper it's your job to weed through the instant experts and find the real knowledge that will help you keep your snake in the best possible way.

Sometimes things aren't broke, they just need tweaked. There's loads of things Mike and I do differently than we did 6 weeks after we got our first BP. That's just a part of our growth as snake keepers and the fact that we've never closed our minds to learning. Doesn't mean we follow every piece of advice given before we validate it, it does mean that we've never felt we knew it all.

[mikedahitman87]

As good as everything is going, I will probably be making the change to a tub soon. I want to pick up a nice female pastel to breed with my mojave and will need the space. I like the way pastaves look . Might pick up a rack this weekend if think i will get a third snake.

Damn these things are addicting.