Still trying to decide which snake...

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Bighurt;3740264; said:
Seeing as it was mentioned that my post was a thread derail send me a PM.

Back to the initial question...you mentioned you have carpentry skills and are willing to build the proper enclosure.

With that said, buy whatever you want, not just what you can house for life in what you have. I am a firm believe in you shouldn't buy an animal just because you have space for it, you should buy an animal you want and make the space for it.

On the other end you do need to make sure you are capable of housing the animal in the end, so I don't recommend a Burmese, Reticulated, or Scrub Python, unless you are prepared to house a Monster Snake.

So if limited to your three choices, I'd pick the Rainbow, beautiful animal I know a breeder they are very hardy animals. Although they don't display the best, you won't find quality at your local pet store though...there are other sources...
Click to expand...

Well, I want to use what I have now, because all the snakes I'm looking at are a fairly small size for now (probably 16-18"). They are all captive bred, locally, and in good shape. None of the places they're available will sell them unless they've eaten 3 consecutive meals in their care, and appear to be fully healthy. They also only buy from local breeders that they trust to provide quality stock.

Anyways, I thought I read that you don't want to put a small snake straight into a large enclosure because it could cause them stress? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. I wanted to start small to keep things simple, and then expand as the snake requires more space, and as I get more comfortable caring for the snake.

If necessary, I can/will build a tank to suit the snake I decide to get. I'd just prefer to use an aquarium if I can, since that's one less thing I have to buy starting out...

Again, I don't just want something that looks good, I want something that I can handle without it freaking out. Maybe I'll just pick one, and collect each of the other two at later dates... :nilly:
 
Bighurt;3740264; said:
Seeing as it was mentioned that my post was a thread derail send me a PM.

Back to the initial question...you mentioned you have carpentry skills and are willing to build the proper enclosure.

With that said, buy whatever you want, not just what you can house for life in what you have. I am a firm believe in you shouldn't buy an animal just because you have space for it, you should buy an animal you want and make the space for it.

On the other end you do need to make sure you are capable of housing the animal in the end, so I don't recommend a Burmese, Reticulated, or Scrub Python, unless you are prepared to house a Monster Snake.

So if limited to your three choices, I'd pick the Rainbow, beautiful animal I know a breeder they are very hardy animals. Although they don't display the best, you won't find quality at your local pet store though...there are other sources...
Click to expand...


No, I said MY POST was a thread derail. Read it again.;)
You still haven't answered the question: How do you heat a tub without using a heat lamp? Not looking to argue; you came out and said there are better options than an aquarium. How do you heat the better option?
 
Conner;3740308; said:
Well, I want to use what I have now, because all the snakes I'm looking at are a fairly small size for now (probably 16-18"). They are all captive bred, locally, and in good shape. None of the places they're available will sell them unless they've eaten 3 consecutive meals in their care, and appear to be fully healthy. They also only buy from local breeders that they trust to provide quality stock.

Anyways, I thought I read that you don't want to put a small snake straight into a large enclosure because it could cause them stress? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. I wanted to start small to keep things simple, and then expand as the snake requires more space, and as I get more comfortable caring for the snake.

If necessary, I can/will build a tank to suit the snake I decide to get. I'd just prefer to use an aquarium if I can, since that's one less thing I have to buy starting out...

Again, I don't just want something that looks good, I want something that I can handle without it freaking out. Maybe I'll just pick one, and collect each of the other two at later dates... :nilly:
Click to expand...


Ball Pythons and Hognose normally strike with their mouths closed. I can't imagine a BP even biting, unless he mistakes you for food.
All three are pretty docile snakes so you won't have any worries as far as handling them.
 
Brooklynella;3740374; said:
You still haven't answered the question: How do you heat a tub without using a heat lamp? Not looking to argue; you came out and said there are better options than an aquarium. How do you heat the better option?
Click to expand...

Heat Tape
Heat Rope
Ceramic Heat emitter
Radiant Heat Panel - Best option no matter the enclosure

All of which are best when supplementing a heated facility...
 
Bighurt;3740394; said:
Heat Tape
Heat Rope
Ceramic Heat emitter
Radiant Heat Panel - Best option no matter the enclosure

All of which are best when supplementing a heated facility...
Click to expand...


OK, but how are these options not creating the "Oven" you refer to in your first post?
 
Brooklynella;3740427; said:
OK, but how are these options not creating the "Oven" you refer to in your first post?
Click to expand...

An aquarium unless turned on its side has a hard time of providing adequate ventilation and moisture retention. DIY enclosure or those designed for reptiles, allow for both.
 
Brooklynella;3740427; said:
OK, but how are these options not creating the "Oven" you refer to in your first post?
Click to expand...

I think its basically the fact that you're providing the right heat, but all the moisture leaves through the top of the aquarium, which is basically "baking" whatever is inside, since the moisture content keeps dropping...

I'm gonna look at some other options as far as enclosures go. I'm still a month or two away from a purchase, so I have plenty of time for research, decisions, second guessing, more decisions, more research, third guessing.... :grinno:
 
Conner;3740859; said:
I can get a good deal on some plastic sheets (http://louisville.craigslist.org/mat/1527250514.html) off craigslist. Would building a plywood box and lining it with these, then siliconing the joints, make a good snake enclosure? Or would just a plain wood box be best?
Click to expand...

If the search function is working the Cage & Habitat Design forum on Kingsnake is probably the best source for ideas in regards to enclosure builds and the options you have.

http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=4#1772502

There are also many, many DIY pages throughout the web that provide insight as well.

If you have plastic sheet material you can make the entire enclosure out of the material or just eh bottom. Heat rope and heat tape transmit heat very well through plastic, there are some plastics that are better than others at transmitting heat but all are better than glass.

If I could get my hands on 1/4 plastic I would just make the cage out of whatever wood you so desire keep in mind solid pine tends to warp and twist when exposed to heat and moisture. I would then seal the inside with a urethane or epoxy like one would in a DIY ply tank.

Keep in mind the enclosure doesn't need to hold water.

I would then either staple, nail or screw the plastic sheet material to the bottom, and ad some vents to the back at the top of the enclosure.

Keep in mind its easier to over ventilate and seal some with tape from behind than to under ventilate and add more later.

Also for the best results use some sort of insulation between the heat rope and the floor. A reflective product like Reflectix does a fine job of radiating heat, this forces all the heat into the cage bottom.

When placed on a thermostat I think you'll find it works very well.
 
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