Paper Mache Hides?

[ThyTempest]

My girlfriend came up with what seems like a really good idea to me. I have been trying to think of a way to make realistic looking hides without having to sell my kidney. She suggested paper mache. It consists of flour and water, which as far as I know would not harm the snake, I am going to ask my vet this afternoon too. We could mold it around anything, and make it look however we wanted, as well as paint it, decorate etc with foliage and hot glue. Also, we could embed washers, marbles, etc to add some weight. Let me know what you all think.

[SatanicIntention]

And then the snake urinates/defecates and your hides are moosh.

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.. Just buy some large plastic bowls, small kitty litter pans, or some of those black plastic zilla hides, and the snake will be fine.

We have a Dollar Tree here and they sell large candy bowls or whatever they are called for $1 apiece. Even my largest females can fit under these. During Halloween they had these large purple bowls with purple rhinestones and spiders on them. Just too cute. I cut out an arches opening with the soldering iron. They are easy to clean and don't take up much room in the tub.

[OhBalls]

I tried it...not thinking...when misting they turned to slime

Now I use kitty litter pans and clay mold to make it look like rock...if you mold it above the lip of the pan, it can be removed to clean the pans too

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I've successfully used plaster of paris to make my own hides. If they're sealed properly, they are fairly easy to clean/disinfect.

I'm looking for a picture to show you of what I've done, but I'm not having much success...

[starmom]

I have lots of hides from RBI~ they're great and easy to clean, last forever, look good, and the snakes love 'em (subjective, I know...!)

[NightLad]

Papier-mâché molds like an SOB. With the humidity requirements of BPs, you are looking at a mushy moldy pile of goo. Also, if it gets mushy and gets on your BP, it will stick like glue when it dries. I'd hate to imagine what that would do to the poor lil'guy, either by trying to rip it off or just by making him terribly uncomfortable and stressed.

If you would like to get something you can bend and shape for him, you could try getting some of those fake vines and branches that are sold specifically for that purpose. As for hides; I use the simple black plastic ones for now. Salzedo is still growing and I'll need to replace them soon enough. Plus, they really need the stability of something solid to curl up in and feel 'secure' on all sides.

Its nice to know that you are taking such an active interest in creating a comfortable living space for your BP. He obviously has a good home!

[JLC]

Glazed and fired pottery can make really nice hides. My mom throws her own pottery and she made me some nifty hides. Just make sure you use a food-safe glaze and you're good to go. There are moulding clays you can get at the hobby store as well, that I've heard of people moulding and baking in their own ovens to make little custome hides. Those clays come in all sorts of colors.

[West Coast Jungle]

And then the snake urinates/defecates and your hides are moosh.

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.. Just buy some large plastic bowls, small kitty litter pans, or some of those black plastic zilla hides, and the snake will be fine.

We have a Dollar Tree here and they sell large candy bowls or whatever they are called for $1 apiece. Even my largest females can fit under these. During Halloween they had these large purple bowls with purple rhinestones and spiders on them. Just too cute. I cut out an arches opening with the soldering iron. They are easy to clean and don't take up much room in the tub.

I am all about the 99cents store for hides and bowls

[ThyTempest]

Allright, seems like everyone is not really understanding my motive. Motives are

Cost
Realistic look.

Litter pans, bowls, etc....not so realisitic....very cheap, but not easy on the eyes
I have considered the pottery, and may very well go with that.

Here are my potential solutions for the problems addressed with the paper mache.

Sealant/Polyurethane coating so humidity and such wont affect construction, also makes sanitizing easier.
Molding clay is a great idea, but it is horribly expensive.

[OhBalls]

Allright, seems like everyone is not really understanding my motive. Motives are

Cost
Realistic look.

Litter pans, bowls, etc....not so realisitic....very cheap, but not easy on the eyes
I have considered the pottery, and may very well go with that.

Here are my potential solutions for the problems addressed with the paper mache.

Sealant/Polyurethane coating so humidity and such wont affect construction, also makes sanitizing easier.
Molding clay is a great idea, but it is horribly expensive.

Paper Mache collapses when you try to seal it with poly...been there

you can make a home made clay and seal that....don't know what the chemicals would do to your snake...might want to research finding something non toxic...

here is how to make home made clay

1 & 1/2 cups baking soda
2/3 cup cornstarch
2 cups warm water

Mix the ingredients together in a pan. Heat over a low heat until thick. Stir constantly. Place mixture on a pastry
board or bread board to cool. As soon as it is cool enough to handle, knead well. At this time you can add in tempera
paint or food coloring if you choose. Roll out flat. Use cookie cutters, or cut shapes freehand. Place unused dough in a
plastic bag (it dries fast!). Paint your finished projects and brush with shellac or clear nail polish to preserve.