Hide The Snakes!!!!

[Blu Mongoose]

We have been trying to sell our house for a while now, It is priced way low and in an excellent neighborhood. People tend to be put off by the critters. I am going to buy tubs to hide everyone in the closet till moving time. How do you keep the tubs locked??? Also how do you know when you have enough ventilation holes??? The closet stays about 80 degrees at all times. I don't have time to get heat for tubs before open house this week.

[xdeus]

Also how do you know when you have enough ventilation holes???

Trial and error. Place a few along the side... say one hole every inch and measure the humidity using an accurite. You can always add more holes, and if there are too many you can still cover them up. I use the blue masking tape to cover them up and increase the humidity during shed. I have two rows of holes spaced about 1.5 inches apart on both sides of the tub.

Good luck on the open house!

[JLC]

If it's only for a few days and you're confident the closet stays at 80*, I wouldn't worry too much about being totally accurate with the holes. Be generous when you make them as you're likely to get plenty of retained moisture in that confined space. Even if the humidity is a bit low due to too many holes, it won't hurt the animals in a temporary circumstance. Better that than too MUCH humidity that causes them to lay on wet substrate.

[Blu Mongoose]

Thanks so much. Im still worried about how to make them escape proof. Plastic lids don't seem to snap tight enough for my liking. Don't want to lose a kid while all this is going on.

[JLC]

Oh sorry! Forgot to answer that one. I use those heavy metal paper binders....someone posted a good picture of one just the other day. I'll see if I can find it.

[Nate]

Thanks so much. Im still worried about how to make them escape proof. Plastic lids don't seem to snap tight enough for my liking. Don't want to lose a kid while all this is going on.

Idea

Put the lid on each enclosure and then stack them. On the very top, put a bunch of books to keep the top lid on, as well as add extra weight so the other can't lift it up.

[JLC]

Here's the picture that JasonGranger provided in another thread:




Nate, that's a good idea, too. But I'd use the clips also...because I'm super paranoid that way.

[Blu Mongoose]

Thanks again!! Maybe we can get this house sold before winter. I hate moving in the winter!! There's a few kids we can't hide, but 6 plus fish tank looks more acceptable than 17 plus fish. No matter how clean, so many people are squimish about animals.

[TekWarren]

the clasps work great, I've been using them on rat tubs for years.

I don't intend to put you down or start anything but I'm troubled by this statement:

I don't have time to get heat for tubs before open house this week.

When you keep animals you MAKE time to keep them properly cared for, be it a temporary or permanent situation. I realize selling a house is a big deal (will be doing it ourselves in the near future), however when you take in an animal you make a commitment. I can't speak specifically for non-partial reptile/animal people but do you think they would rather see a bunch of tubs with snakes crammed up in a closet (because most buyers will want to see every nook) or...setup nicely, clean, and well cared for? I understand that some will be put off either way and if your animals are being that much of an inconvenience it might be better for them to find someone elses place where you can properly keep them setup at the right temps.

Again, no disrespect intended. My wife and have been talking and making plans for some time now on the actions we will take to get the house ready for sale. In the same boat as you, I don't see many people in my area or looking for a house in my neighborhood will want to see a room full of animals no matter how clean and well cared for. Needless to say when we start showing the house they won't be at the house at all.

Good luck on the house sales, in our area its a good time to buy as LOTS is available but little is selling or takes forever. We have our next house already set however neslted in a woodland on part of my parents farm...can't wait to get out of "town"!

[Blu Mongoose]

Excuse me if I didn't explain thouroghly enough. My snakes are not being crammed. Open house is in a couple days . The temps never drop below 80 or go over 85. My closet is large enough to put a childs bed in. I never cram my pets. They will have roomy tubs and be set on shelf along one wall. My pets get better care than many peoples children. The tubs will have a sheet hung in front with care taken not to cut off ventilation. I don't mean to be snap, but just because a snake is in a closet doesn't mean its crammed. The entire house is temp. controled with vents even in the closet. Maybe you and your wife are lucky enough to have friends knowledgable enough to trust your pets with. All our friends are over 300 miles away. On the other hand many breeders racks are more crammed and offer less ventilation than my 5' x 7' closet. The only reason I asked advice on tubs was because I had only used tanks before. Thanks for your concern.