by Jamster » Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:22 pm
It depends on the snakes you are housing and their size. I use a racking system for my bhs, corns, cal kings and juvie boas. The draws are about 65L x 40W x 30H (cm). They provide adequate space for the snakes to move around, I can put descent sized hides in for the snakes and fit water bowls in them that they snakes can submerge themselves into. I think as long as the snakes have all of their requirements met with enough room to roam around it isn't an issue. I find that some of the more insecure and easily stressed snakes do better in racking systems as well. NatCon doesn't have an issue with racking systems as long as the tub sizes meet their requirements for the snakes they are housing.
I have seen plenty big boids being kept in plastic tubs where the snake takes up half the container when coiled up and they have a water bowl just big enough for their head to fit into. This is obviously unacceptable by any standards unless it is a temporary measure, e.g during egg laying or during treatment of illness or injury.
While we are on this topic, I find the notion of provided the reptile and cage sizes to NatCon somewhat silly. Personally I tend to move snakes between enclosures fairly often due to new additions, growth, feeding, lighting, etc. And I know that many other keepers do as well. Should we apply for a permit every single time we want to move a snake from one enclosure to another. What if the need to move the snake is urgent and we can't wait a week for the permit?
Horses are kept in tiny stables, dogs kept in tiny courtyards, birds kept in tiny cages, fish kept in tiny tanks and nobody bats an eye. But if a snake is kept in a slightly small cage everybody loses their minds. I believe that all pets should be kept in an area that is adequately sized and meets their requirements, simple as that.
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake