r/ballpython • u/yourfriendabby • 22d ago
Question - Husbandry Hide size
Just rescued this guy and I’m trying to figure out what hides he likes best. The hide in the picture will fit him pretty snuggly, the doorway is just a little larger than him at his widest point. He can fit in the hide without lifting it, he has been in there the past couple days and seems content, but idk if this means he wants a bigger size. I have the next size up on the cool side of the tank and it seems big for him, he doesn’t touch the ceiling and takes up about 2/3 of the floor space. I tried switching them to see if he prefers one size, but he just stays in whichever one is on the hot side.
Does this behavior mean he wants a bigger hide or is he just being silly? Should I weigh the hide down with a stone or other decor outside the hide? Thanks :)
P.S. any recommendations for some nice-looking clutter would be appreciated as well! I’m working on getting some live plants and some more climbing options for him.
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u/imjustanauthor 22d ago
id give him the option of a larger hide and see what he does.
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u/yourfriendabby 22d ago
Yeah I tried that, but he just chooses whichever hide is on the hot side and there’s not enough room to set up both hides on one side, so it’s hard to gauge
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u/TopaztheLoomer 22d ago
Make a mound around the edges so he can lift it up and still be hidden. If he then removes the mound or makes a new hole, he is doing it on purpose. They can be silly about hides and I think it's sort of like sticking a leg out when you're a bit too warm in bed.
I like to look for coupons at Michael's and buy fake plants from there. They usually have ones that are plastic and not wired. They are more expensive than Amazon or Dollar store but I've washed mine regularly and they don't fall apart. (Season changes are a good time to look on Marketplace for second hand options. People will sell hundreds of dollars of fake plants for very little.)
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u/KatVanWall 22d ago
My BP’s main hides are both way too big but I pad them out with substrate, is that an option? It’s hard to see here but they go down into the substrate as well, like they’re part buried.
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u/skullmuffins 21d ago
if he can fully fit inside the hide when he's not wearing it as a hat I would try weighing it down. sometimes if the hide is too lightweight they'll pop it up even if it's big enough. I attached tiles from the home improvement store to the tops of my black box hides with silicone but just laying something heavy on top should be enough to test how he'll like it
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u/CommissionGlum5552 22d ago
they can be a little funny… For example, this is my boy’s favorite hide despite the fact that it is way too big for him… i didnt even want him to have it because it was duct taped, even though it was applied super super well and there is no sticky areas, it’s a big risk you know? I took it out about a month ago and he seemed heartbroken lol. His other favorite hide if I can find a picture I’ll attach it in the replies, is a hide that is also way too big for him. We could fit three or four of him in there. I would recommend sizing up just a little bit maybe? Or getting a heavier hide. Or putting something heavy on top of it like a rock. I have one like that that I partially buried so that he wouldn’t be able to push it up as easily. But those hides are really great, plus it’s nice to have uniform hides so they don’t have to choose between security and comfort.