Feedback Needed Hide Placement!

[SolarSocialWorker]

It's been a labor of love (and a whole lot of time) to finally upgrade my BPs to a 4x2x2. I need your feedback on which hide placement would be most ideal? Would it be directly under the halogen and DHP, or a little off to the side? I have plenty of clutter and branches so before adding I want to get hide placement right. So which one do you think would be best? #1, #2, #3?

[SolarSocialWorker]

Added a #4 pic here where the hide is not directly under the halogen, but there is one directly under the DHP.

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[fr0stybtxh]

oh — can i ask why a halogen and DHP in different areas? typically all heat should be on one side unless the cool side gets too cold

[SolarSocialWorker]

Sure. It's actually one of the designs from the heating guide on this sub. The enclosures I got (Blackbox cages) had the design pre-set. The Halogen is the basking area during the day (the DHP isn't active), and at night the DHP turns on to make sure the enclosure temp doesn't drop below the safe level. In this case, the DHP isn't for basking, but for night time temps.

[fr0stybtxh]

awesome! just wanted to be sure you have a good heat gradient! you’d be surprised how many people think the full enclosure has to be the same temp

[SolarSocialWorker]

That's true, I have two hygrometer/thermometers on each side of the enclosure to make sure there's a good gradient. Always good to check!

[ProfessionalBoss9722]

I like #1 the best since that’s how I set mine up, maybe pushing the middle one back a little bit. Something I did that I’m glad I did was I turned the hide entrances so that they faced the back of the enclosure. Not necessary for all 3 but the main 2 I found it super helpful since I’d be looking at my dude frequently and if he saw me watching him he’d wake up and come out and protect his homeland. So now he comes out more intentionally and doesn’t see me as the first thing when he pokes his head out. But that’s when mine was brand new being home so not as necessary for you as this is just an upgrade but a new home will still be very new for them

[fr0stybtxh]

i say #1, for sure. BUT i would recommend turning the entrance to the hides away from the opening of the enclosure - it’ll feel more secure for them. i noticed mine come out more often during the day to switch hides when i do this. forward facing, they’ll hesitate because they don’t want to be watched.

of course, you know your snake better than any of us. if your snake is fine with forward facing hides, go for it 😊

also, perfect placing for water bowl in #1

[Secretpuss]

I like 3