Help! My display cages look like garbage.

[Paragonimus westerma]

Hello everyone!

I just finished moving the last of my legless buddies into my 8th grade science classroom. The kids love all the animals so far, but the enclosures could definitely use some... sprucing up. Specifically most of them are bare and boring.













I would like for some of these to look a bit more like the fox snake enclosure. The sand boa enclosure is probably going to be just plain bare because... well.. it lives in a desert.

The rest though....

I need to upgrade the Sumatran short-tail python's cage anyway; he's starting to outgrow it. Does anyone have recommendations on how to make a Vision cage pretty looking? Or should I go with a different brand? I am considering putting soil and tropical foliage, like pitcher plants, in there with it.

As for the rubber boas, those plastic bins are probably going to stay in their cages in some way [they're feeding containers, keeping in the cage has been a successful way to get them to eat without stressing them out by forcing them into a new environment. They're super-picky, especially the male].

I also thought about putting plants in with the rubber boas, but that would require new lighting setups which I'd rather not do... and it might raise the temperature of the enclosures which is a no-go for rubber boas.


I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Cheers!

Will double check later if the pictures uploaded correctly. Right now I'm on a school computer and it doesn't display some images correctly.

[redshepherd]

The images aren't working for me. :c

Have you looked into animalplastics cages? Those look much more visually appealing to me than Vision, especially in white, if you're considering getting new ones. They're also really worth the price and will install an RHP in it for free if you send it to them prior to building. And options to add lights and stuff too.

[Gio]

Are you looking for NEW cages or going to keep the glass cages?

The glass cages are easy and inexpensive to "spruce" up. First I'd suggest wrapping the back and sides with some type of background picture which adds not only an interesting visual, it also serves a purpose by covering the front and sides of the cage .

Behind the poster wrap, you should insulate the back, sides, to and bottom along with the screen top. It will help with heat retention and humidity plus offer the animals some sense of security (like the poster background) which they need badly if they are in a classroom with interested school kids.

Interior items that look "realistic" can be purchased at a pet store.









Personally I'd suggest new plastic caging for some of the animals and a safe warm corner area for the cages. Big, open classrooms are usually cold and are going to tax your heating source which in turn will tax your in cage humidity which could be problematic depending on the species. Classrooms are also high activity areas so the closer to a corner that is still good for view is preferable.


Much more expensive, but a better all around option is plastic caging. Obviously, good heat sources with thermostats are assumed. If not you need to get those items as well.





If the caging and animals are part of your classroom, you may be able to write the items off as essential equipment?? I have no idea if that is possible but if budget is a problem, look into it.

These cages have been set up and added to over time as the snakes grow and require larger items.




Hopefully seeing a few things in these pictures will give you some creative ideas. Just be mindful of proper husbandry before you make cosmetic upgrades.

[Neal]

I also can't see the images.

[Gio]

I saw the pictures yesterday, now they are gone.

Have you made progress?