One of our big albino burms, "Buffy" was always escaping from her enclosure. I would come home from work and there would be a row of about 6 brown tennis balls on the kitchen floor. Then I would go to the herp room and open the closet. Sure enough she would be up on the shelf all coiled up. A few hello hisses and then take the big girl off the shelf, go over to her enclosure and she would go right in.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

I use sterilyte boxes for all my corns and kings. I have human type heating pads that have been in use non stop for over 4 years. They are the "Kaz" brand available at Walmart. They do not have the automatic shut off which would pretty much render them useless.
As for your earlier question snakes do not need to "stretch out" Since their bodies are highly flexible they are not cramped in a smaller space the way a more fixed vertebra species would be. As long as there is room for them to move from one heat area to another to thermoregulate they will be fine. I use aspen and remove all of my snakes to feed. If you wish to feed in the enclosure you are pretty much going to have to settle for a paper or carpeted substrate. Even if you put the prey on a plate or peice of paper in the process of constricting or swallowing the snake will invariably end up moving it off onto the substrate.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I just bought a 92 qt. (I think) sterilite. It is roughly the size of a 20 Gallon Long.

I was looking into 32 qt. sterilites for my rack. So, here's a question:

Is it more important to be longer but narrower, like the 92 qt, or shorter and wider, like the 32 qt.

The 32 qt. is - 23 1/2" L x 16 1/4"W x 6 3/8"H

The 92 qt. is - 31" L x 13" W x 12" H

I know that height isn't too important, although with the higher enclosure I can put climbing branches. However, doesn't a rack system negate the need for furniture and hides?

Thanks. I want to do this right for my snakes.

ok now it all depends on what you want to do. The main reason for going to a rack system is an increasing number of snakes against declining space.

"I know that height isn't too important, although with the higher enclosure I can put climbing branches. However, doesn't a rack system negate the need for furniture and hides?"

Here you answer your own question. With an increased number of snakes bric-a-brac in the tub means more time needed to clean. Also in it's own tub which is semi translucent the snake feels secure.
When I built the rack system here I made the space between the tiers 7". That way when you mess up and don't have the top secured right, the snakes do not have enough space to open the top and go exploring. Believe me, they will find a loose top. They are constantly testing restrictions. Did you check Walmart? I believe that they carry both Sterlite and Rubbermaid in the 6 3/8" or 6 1/2" deep and about 32" long. These are fine to accomodate up to a 5' snake. Also they have both brands in a shoebox size. I used those with a 2" hole drilled through the top for their water and it will also serve the purpose if they want to soak. My CRBs and BRBs, all about 5' long would love to get in and soak. And yes a 5' snake can get inside one of those shoeboxes.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

yes, i handle my corns alot too and I am also planning a rack for breeding.
but I would suggest more of a "shelf" than a rack (with about 20 gallon tanks in eachhalf level) and have it high for space. Another good space for the snakes is under the bed like a trundle bedd with cages instead of a mattress.

There are two things wrong there.
First, when you go with a shelf rather than a rack you are restricting ventilation and shelves with tanks is NOT a rack system.
Second, with them under the bed you are interfering with their day/night cycle and if you are thinking of lights under the bed in the domain of the dust bunnies you might as well call the fire dept. now and let them know that they will be visiting you.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

Thanks for your answer, Fran. I appreciate the time you put into it.

So, the 92 qt. is probably overkill, and the 32 qt. should be just fine for my Corns, right?

My Black Rat Snake, which will hopefully get over 6 feet, will inherit the 92 quart util I build a stand alone display for her. She is my "prize" snake because of sheer length. The Okeetees will definitely outshine her in beauty, though.

Here is the 92 qt. I drilled out last night. You can see the large binder clips that keept the lid secure. Oh, and that is Bailey, my 8 year old herpetologist



I won't make a rack for this, but for $10 you get the room of a 20 Gallon long aquarium.

I like Bailey's grin; like she is proud of the handiwork.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

Okay, after doing some more research, is there any reason I couldn't modify this to be a suitable rack? I could weave the heat tape through each shelf, and cut the support "lip" (since the tubs don't weigh that much) so that each tub could slide in and out easier. I would still use lids with this type of rack.

The shelves adjust in 1 inch increments - that might be the only draw back. However, there is always a way around that. I like the looks of this - and it is only about $70. I would spend more than that on 2 sheets of plywood, sealing, caulk and paint. Plus, there is no carpentry work to be done - merely modifications with bolt cutters and such. In addition, they would get much more light than an enclosed system.

Sorry I couldn't get better pics.






By the way, have you seen the new Vision Racks? I LOVE those, but being Vision they are out of my price range. That is what gave me this idea.


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