Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate your comments. Your experience has been very different from my own, apparently.

Quite some time ago, I had read from other Forum posters that certain species of snakes do better with taller vivariums, versus wider, and that more foliage and hide spots helped with overall health. I was intrigued by the Concept, and experimented further. In time, I found their statements to be true from personal experience.

Reptiles left in a typical terrarium become “Couch Potatoes” very quickly. They typically have only one hide spot and a small water bowl. They can neither climb, exercise, stalk & hunt nor soak. Such specimens seldom move, and often become obese and relatively unfit.

(The only thing worse is a small sweater box; it’s the equivalent of closet space for a man.)

Snakes given a natural biome setup can exercise with the equivalent of a small gymnasium, especially if you equip 3 levels as I’ve done: burrowing layer, ground layer, climbing canopy. They can also do a full soak – which all animals love to do at times.

I have found that my vivariums add to the natural beauty and aesthetics of my home. The primary benefits, however, are for the snakes themselves. In natural setups, reptiles become much more active, and often, more visible.

I also feed live (nor right or wrong), so my snakes get to stalk & hunt as they would in the wild. I’ve always fed in the vivarium itself; never have had any problems.

You should do what you feel is best for your situation, of course, but I have found many, tremendous advantages with this type of housing setup.

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