Using a flash may effect the snakes alertness during the session, making it a bit more skittish, flighty, etcIts not something big, just spooky sometimes to them. There are some positives to using light tents. You rid the image of the light reflections in the eyes from the softboxes, brolly boxes, and umbrellas. The only downside is it restricts the angles, and somewhat effects your modeling lamps accuracy compared to the strobes flash. If you're going to buy one, why not build one? Building one, you can make one to meet "your"
needs, and not settle for what they have. That and you can use the material you see fit. They're not that hard to make either, and cost around a 3rd the priceGood luck with whatever you do.