Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I just heard the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Somebody at a local pet shop told me that a snake will only grow as big as it's enclosure! Can somebody tell me how anyone in the world could even think this is true?

Maybe they are RETARDED

I can't wait for my 40 ft. cage to be done I am going to make a HUGE corn and will feed it adult anacondas. LOL

That seemed to be a fairly common piece of misinformation twenty years ago. It was a bit like an urban myth and was never questioned because the average punter didn't know any different.

I'm surprised it's still being peddled as fact by a shop.

It's deffinitely false. In the past the only reason a reptile wouldn't grow big in a cage too small for it, is because it dies long before it outgrows the cage due to improper care.
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PHLdyPayne

This is a common thought for not just snakes, but many animals. I had a guy who told me that a 29 gallon tank was fine for his oscar (an african ciclid, btw they need at least 55gal for 1 fish, 75 for 2...) because the fish wouldnt grow out of the tank. this is just an urban legend that has no validity to it. However, I am still suprised to hear it coming from a pet shop.

I've seen a red devil before, also an african ciclid, that was full grown (about 15" long) that was in a 10 gallon tank, he had to turn on end to turn around. pretty amazing. (of course I took that fish home with me)
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-Chris

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