From 2010 thru 2012, I lived in a district of Portland called St. Johns. Called "the Manhattan of the West" in the 1890s, it has many old, funky buildings. The 1930s bridge is still a global landmark, and many sidewalks are dated 1910 or earlier. (Some roads are eroded and show the underlying shale rock foundation layer used prior to 1910.)

My studio apartment was so small that even chair placement was an issue. At the time, I kept my 100-gallon vivarium in another town until I moved back 2 years later. (It’s a common tale in an America which expects Austerity for citizens, but expects instead continual Bailouts and Legal & Tax exemptions for dynastic autocrats.)

Normally, most hatchlings would be somewhat intimidated by a large setup like mine. *For awhile only, I suspect. Remember that The Outdoors is very large, and somehow all natural snakes “get over” the intimidation quickly.* In contrast to many captive snakes, my Russian explores actively, both day & night. At only 16 inches now, he definitely would have needed a large enclosure by adulthood.

One other observation about terrarium setups. It's interesting, but the cultural differences are there and are consistent:

1. Americans tend to favor minimalistic terrariums.
(Often with a single hide spot, with water dish.)

2. Europeans tend to favor naturalistic terrariums.
(Often with many hide spots & fake plants.)

I wonder why the cultural difference. Anyone care to ponder that question with the Philosophers?

1.0 Elaphe schrencki
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus (Miami phase)

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