Stand for PVC caging

[moonlightgdess]

I'm looking at getting either a PVC Cages enclosure or Animal Plastics T1 for a ball python. I have my breeders in racks, but my kids want one in their room and, as they are young, I'd love one with a lock that's durable. Does anyone have any suggestions for stands/tables/etc. for these enclosures? First off, I'm not handy so building one would require easy yet detailed instructions with minimal tools (I have a circular saw and a drill). Or would a 20 gal long be a better way to go? I'm so torn. A 20 long would certainly be less expensive but I worry about the security of the snakes with a 6 and 8 year old. Suggestions? Thanks!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Honestly I would at the minimum get a T3 not a T1.

Tank VS Cage, cage offer more security and keep humidity better, plus with kids not having a glass enclosure but a cage is probably a better idea too.

As far as stands a 3 x 2 table or desk will do the job you can even look into metal stand for fish tanks.

[Regius_049]

Honestly I would at the minimum get a T3 not a T1.

Tank VS Cage, cage offer more security and keep humidity better, plus with kids not having a glass enclosure but a cage is probably a better idea too.

I agree with the above poster on both accounts. A plastic cage will keep heat better than a glass tank, plus you can customize it more easily to your liking. I would go with a front open plastic cage with a lock. You can get both sliding glass doors or swing with locks from animal plastics or constrictors NW proline cages. Both companies will make to a compatible stand that is easy to assemble with a screwdriver in about 20 minutes.

In my personal opinion, I would go with the constrictors NW for the use of HDPE plastic. It is less/non-porous, easier to clean, non-staining, and FDA approved. Also, I would also really recommend a 36" x 24" as a bare minimum for an adult ball python. A 48" x 24" being more ideal. Many people here use T-8 cages from animal plastics with good reason. If it is a smaller male, then sure you might be able to go a little smaller, but I can't imagine any of my adult females (2000+ grams) in anything smaller than 36". I have used CB-70 (~34" L x 18" W) tubs as quarantine enclosures for adult ball pythons and it's not pragmatically enough space to get 2 hides and a water dish in (Assuming most use polypropylene hides similar to these for your average adult ball python). A T3 enclosure would give you barely enough room for the above, but not with any considerable "free floor space".



In the bottom enclosure here you can see how a T8 would look setup with 2 hides and a water bowl. You can see how shortening that to 36" (or 24") would make it somewhat cramped.