I've seen first-hand how they thrive in tubs. I've also heard from plenty of people about them thriving in vivariums as well. Really, it comes down to what the keeper is best able to maintain. They want security, proper temps, and dinner served on a regular, consistent basis. If you can do that with glass tanks and enjoy the physical effort it takes to maintain the tanks...then more power to ya. Personally, I find the convenience of tubs makes it far more likely that my snakes (the very few that I personally keep) will have all their needs met.
One personal, anecdotal story. When I bought my first ball python, she'd spent the first year of her life in the breeder's tub/rack. When she arrived at my house, I had a glass tank all set up for her. She quit eating and wouldn't eat for weeks and weeks, no matter what I did to make sure the tank was "secure" or the heroic efforts I went to to make sure temps and humidity stayed spot-on. Once I gave up on the pretty vivarium and put her in a tub with paper substrate, she began eating like no tomorrow. And the icing on the cake for me was how much easier it was to maintain proper humidity and temps in the tub compared to the glass tank. Not to mention how much easier to clean a light-weight tub is!
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