RUBs Versus Vivs
One topic of seemingly constant debate within the snake-keeping community, is the use of RUBs as housing for snakes. RUBs are Really Useful Boxes, a brand name of a popular type of storage box. The term is also used for other types of plastic storage box, although "tub" would probably be more appropriate. These storage boxes can be easily adapted to provide safe and secure housing for smaller snakes by simply drilling or melting some holes for ventilation - and prove to be a popular alternative to vivariums.
As well as proving to be a topic of relative controversy amongst snake keepers, the image of snakes been kept in stacks of boxes can appear to be quite cruel and inhumane to the general, non-snake keeping public - and prior to a few months ago, I would have agreed!
As well as proving to be a topic of relative controversy amongst snake keepers, the image of snakes been kept in stacks of boxes can appear to be quite cruel and inhumane to the general, non-snake keeping public - and prior to a few months ago, I would have agreed!
Having read many of the RUB vs Vivarium debates that exist on a particular forum (coupled with a greater understanding of my snakes' behaviour and needs) I have slowly changed my opinion on the use of tubs as suitable housing, as many very good points were raised. Of the many "pro rub" arguments, I found these mainly fall into one of four categories;
I've started with convenience, as in my opinion, this is the least important consideration - tubs are convenient for the keeper, which is not a good reason by its self, and at no point swayed my initially negative view on keeping snakes in tubs. The only good reasons to house snakes in tubs are ones that are beneficial to the health and overall well-being of the snake. Tubs, in comparison to vivariums, are cheap - often less than a tenner for a large one that offers similar floor space to 3 foot vivarium. Due to their lightweight but sturdy composition, tubs can often be stacked on top of one another, placed on shelves, or stored in modified rack systems.
Hygiene
Vivariums by majority are constructed from wood, with glass doors. They have joining seams and corners which can easily be missed when cleaning - harbouring bacteria. The wood has a tendency to swell and degrade over a sometimes surprising short period of time. Tubs are very light by definition, and can easily be disinfected, wiped clean, filled with boiling water, or even hosed down with a shower in the bathtub. Some species of snake are more sensitive to humidity levels that others. With a tub, humidity can be controlled more easily by adding fewer or more ventilation holes as per requirements. As a separate point, heating of rubs is generally in the form of heat mats or heat cable - these should always be placed under or behind the RUB, separating the snake from coming into direct contact with the heat source and avoiding means of injury.
Security
Snakes are excellent escape artists, and will seemingly take any opportunity to venture from their provided accommodation. Topics around escaping snakes are frequent, any by an overwhelming majority, these instances are from vivariums rather than tubs. Snakes can and have been known to slide the glass doors open, push the glass out of their runners, and in some instances, break the glass. They have also been known to remove vents, or even push the back panel off some cheaper vivariums. The wooden top sheep of vivariums has a tendency to bow, causing the glass doors to fall out. By way of comparison, the only methods of escape from a tub is by pushing the lid off - when kept in racks this eliminates this as an option, reducing means of escape to virtually nil (that I can think of at least).
...Security
The health and well-being of a snake should, in my opinion, be the only point of consideration when deciding between vivariums or tubs. Space is probably the single most point raised by people against the keeping of snakes in tubs, as generally speaking, these are smaller than vivariums - and this was my area of concern too! I can't speak for all species of snake as I only keep Royal Pythons, however I can speak in relative length on their behalf, through both extensive researching of natural habitat and behaviour displayed in the wild, and the behaviour of my Royal Pythons which are housed in vivariums. Royal Pythons are, by nature, extremely timid. They are one of the smaller species of snake, and as they are neither venomous nor have much in the way of teeth, their only form of defence is to curl up into a tight ball - so no defence against predation at all really! They appear to display a preference of confined, tight spaces - in the wild they spend the vast majority of their time in rodent-made burrows, either hunting or digesting the previous occupants of said burrow. The only time that they are in the open is at night time due to being nocturnal, in order to find a new, freshly stocked burrow - or when searching for a mate.
In captivity, one of the basic absolute requirements is for a minimum of two hides (when kept in a vivarium). The only time I ever really see my Royal Pythons (aside from handling and feeding) is when they are making their way from one hide to the other - and they often freeze once I'm spotted! I can say with absolute certainty that my snakes much prefer confined spaces over open ground. The fact that tubs are generally smaller than vivariums is, in my opinion, a good thing, so long as adequate space is provided. As tubs are often clear or opaque, a natural day/night pattern can easily be provided where rubs are kept in well lit rooms.
As a separate, albeit anecdotal point, Royal Pythons in particular have a reputation of being picky / stubborn eaters. Repeated rejection of offered meals can in many cases be taken as a good indication that a detail of their housing - be it temperatures or size of vivarium - could be causing distress. It is interesting to note from a point of observation, that of the complaints regarding none-feeding, far fewer are from keepers which house their snakes in tubs. Often the solution to long term none-feeding issues is to attempt housing in a tub.
- Convenience
- Hygiene
- Security
- ...and Security
I've started with convenience, as in my opinion, this is the least important consideration - tubs are convenient for the keeper, which is not a good reason by its self, and at no point swayed my initially negative view on keeping snakes in tubs. The only good reasons to house snakes in tubs are ones that are beneficial to the health and overall well-being of the snake. Tubs, in comparison to vivariums, are cheap - often less than a tenner for a large one that offers similar floor space to 3 foot vivarium. Due to their lightweight but sturdy composition, tubs can often be stacked on top of one another, placed on shelves, or stored in modified rack systems.
Hygiene
Vivariums by majority are constructed from wood, with glass doors. They have joining seams and corners which can easily be missed when cleaning - harbouring bacteria. The wood has a tendency to swell and degrade over a sometimes surprising short period of time. Tubs are very light by definition, and can easily be disinfected, wiped clean, filled with boiling water, or even hosed down with a shower in the bathtub. Some species of snake are more sensitive to humidity levels that others. With a tub, humidity can be controlled more easily by adding fewer or more ventilation holes as per requirements. As a separate point, heating of rubs is generally in the form of heat mats or heat cable - these should always be placed under or behind the RUB, separating the snake from coming into direct contact with the heat source and avoiding means of injury.
Security
Snakes are excellent escape artists, and will seemingly take any opportunity to venture from their provided accommodation. Topics around escaping snakes are frequent, any by an overwhelming majority, these instances are from vivariums rather than tubs. Snakes can and have been known to slide the glass doors open, push the glass out of their runners, and in some instances, break the glass. They have also been known to remove vents, or even push the back panel off some cheaper vivariums. The wooden top sheep of vivariums has a tendency to bow, causing the glass doors to fall out. By way of comparison, the only methods of escape from a tub is by pushing the lid off - when kept in racks this eliminates this as an option, reducing means of escape to virtually nil (that I can think of at least).
...Security
The health and well-being of a snake should, in my opinion, be the only point of consideration when deciding between vivariums or tubs. Space is probably the single most point raised by people against the keeping of snakes in tubs, as generally speaking, these are smaller than vivariums - and this was my area of concern too! I can't speak for all species of snake as I only keep Royal Pythons, however I can speak in relative length on their behalf, through both extensive researching of natural habitat and behaviour displayed in the wild, and the behaviour of my Royal Pythons which are housed in vivariums. Royal Pythons are, by nature, extremely timid. They are one of the smaller species of snake, and as they are neither venomous nor have much in the way of teeth, their only form of defence is to curl up into a tight ball - so no defence against predation at all really! They appear to display a preference of confined, tight spaces - in the wild they spend the vast majority of their time in rodent-made burrows, either hunting or digesting the previous occupants of said burrow. The only time that they are in the open is at night time due to being nocturnal, in order to find a new, freshly stocked burrow - or when searching for a mate.
In captivity, one of the basic absolute requirements is for a minimum of two hides (when kept in a vivarium). The only time I ever really see my Royal Pythons (aside from handling and feeding) is when they are making their way from one hide to the other - and they often freeze once I'm spotted! I can say with absolute certainty that my snakes much prefer confined spaces over open ground. The fact that tubs are generally smaller than vivariums is, in my opinion, a good thing, so long as adequate space is provided. As tubs are often clear or opaque, a natural day/night pattern can easily be provided where rubs are kept in well lit rooms.
As a separate, albeit anecdotal point, Royal Pythons in particular have a reputation of being picky / stubborn eaters. Repeated rejection of offered meals can in many cases be taken as a good indication that a detail of their housing - be it temperatures or size of vivarium - could be causing distress. It is interesting to note from a point of observation, that of the complaints regarding none-feeding, far fewer are from keepers which house their snakes in tubs. Often the solution to long term none-feeding issues is to attempt housing in a tub.
But...
Whilst I have recently become somewhat of an advocate of RUBs as housing for small snakes and value their use in the hobby, I do not condone using tubs that are what I'd consider to be too small, or undecorated. I do not like to see adult snakes in tubs with barely enough room to move around, sat on newspaper, with no hides. This, in my opinion, completely contradicts some of the key reasons for housing snakes in tubs in the first place, is damaging to the image of our hobby, and is a practice I would very much like to see and end to.
All of my tubs are of more than adequate size, contain proper substrate, multiple hides, and lots of décor.
All of my tubs are of more than adequate size, contain proper substrate, multiple hides, and lots of décor.