In this episode, I discuss the method I used to introduce my young (and small) Jungle Carpet Python to his new and very large enclosure. I chat about the common myth we hear in the hobby: "small snakes fail to thrive in large enclosures due to stress." I discuss where I believe this myth stems from and how we can push the hobby away from myth-based care towards fact-based care. 

Of course, you can't discuss this myth without chatting about the ball python breeding craze, and tub/rack systems.  Here are a few of the academic sources I used to formulate my opinions:

Captive Care and Husbandry of Ball Pythons (Python regius). Jennifer M. Rizzo, DVM

Sutherland C. 2009. Ball Pythons: A Complete Guide to Python regius. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ.

Murphy JB, Schlager N, Hutchins M (eds). 2003. Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia. 2nd ed., Vol. 7: Reptiles, Gale Group, Farmington Hills, MI:419–428

I also stumbled across a .PDF posted on Reptifiles.com. Unfortunately, I found this after recording the episode which is too bad because it is a fantastic resource! Take a look: https://www.reptifiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Busting-Royal-Python-Myths-by-Francis-Cosquieri.pdf

Reptile Brain Academic Sources:

Naumann RK, Ondracek JM, Reiter S, et al. The reptilian brain. Curr Biol. 2015;25(8):R317–R321. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.02.049. CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406946/

Bruce L.L. (2009) Evolution of the Brain in Reptiles. In: Binder M.D., Hirokawa N., Windhorst U. (eds) Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/bonus-tiny-snake-huge-cage/