you have to keep in mind pet stores are trying to sell these animals.if they put hides that most of us call proper,the customer would never see the animals.i went to a tropical fish pet store and they had the best idea ive seen.they have a hide that is pushed up against the front of the glass where they can hide in a dark spot but on the customers side of the glass there is the second hide attatched so if someone wants to see all they have to do is remove the hide from the outside.i wish i could better explain wat they had but i thought it was a excellent idea