Paper Mache Hides...

[lisa77]

Hey..

I have visited many reptile shops where you find the run of the mill half log hides which quite frankly not keen on for a ball. SO ..I have been getting a bit crafty the last couple of days . Yesterday I made a Fymo hide, which was good but it turned out too small !

Today I brought some balloons & flour to do some paper mache hides. I firstly used the large oblong balloon & then secondly a round one, and used the flour & water mix with newspaper to build up a shell around the baloon. I then brought some kids metallic paint & I will be painting them when they have dried. Obviously this will get poohed on etc so it wont last long, but I figured my little one, the way he is eating, will outgrow it soon enough anyway.. I can then make more!!

Can anyone tell me if the non Toxic kids paint is OK to use ?

Also has anyone got any pictures of hides & Viv accessories they have made please ?

[joepythons]

Hey..

I have visited many reptile shops where you find the run of the mill half log hides which quite frankly not keen on for a ball. SO ..I have been getting a bit crafty the last couple of days . Yesterday I made a Fymo hide, which was good but it turned out too small !

Today I brought some balloons & flour to do some paper mache hides. I firstly used the large oblong balloon & then secondly a round one, and used the flour & water mix with newspaper to build up a shell around the baloon. I then brought some kids metallic paint & I will be painting them when they have dried. Obviously this will get poohed on etc so it wont last long, but I figured my little one, the way he is eating, will outgrow it soon enough anyway.. I can then make more!!

Can anyone tell me if the non Toxic kids paint is OK to use ?

Also has anyone got any pictures of hides & Viv accessories they have made please ?

This is a good idea and practical.The part about the paint though i am not sure of to tell you the truth.I think i would pass on it just to be safe.

[Shaffer]

I use plastic colenders (sp) The things you use to strain noodles and what not. You can get them at target for like a dollar or two. They come in a few different sizes and colors. I bought a big one for my 1700g fem. and a small one for my 125g he/she and covered the sides in black duct tape. The holes on top can let the heat through on your warm side. I just cut a big enough hole on the side and smoothed out the edges with a lighter.

Pretty smart, eh?

Here's some pics

The big one...


The small one

[JLC]

... and covered the sides in black duct tape...

Tape of any sort inside a snake's enclosure is a VERY bad thing. We haven't had any recent horror stories, so maybe you don't know. But I've heard some horrific stories about snakes getting tangled up in tape...and I've mourned with a friend who lost their snake to just such an incident. Please, please rethink this arrangement.

[JLC]

Can anyone tell me if the non Toxic kids paint is OK to use ?

Also has anyone got any pictures of hides & Viv accessories they have made please ?

I don't know if that paint is OK or not....although I would guess it is. However, it might be worth it just to call up a vet who understands reptiles and ask.

Here's a thread I did recently that shows two different kinds of hides...one is the plastic flower-pot bottom with a "door" cut out of the side...and the other is a small dog bowl that has some hollow space under it. My snake likes them both.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=35212

[lisa77]

Thanks for everyones replies.. I have asked on another forum & apparently anything that is non toxic is ok to use..

Thanks so much for the other ideas

[Slithers]

Things that are non toxic to humans are not always non toxic to small animals including reptiles. I personally would seriously rethink any paint or tape inside of a tank.

As for a hide I just use a tupperware (like for food storage). I use a soldering iron to cut open an entrance in the side.

I highly recommend one of these simpler hides. Good Luck.