Advice on making hides

Hello! I've been reading the hides sticky in this forum and I'm just wondering what folks use to cut the terracotta flowerpots and similar items? The links provided in the thread for an item at Lowe's just links to the store's main page :) Thanks!

I know some people have used terra cotta with success. My big concern is 1st not cracking the whole thing when trying to cut the hole. Then I'd worry about getting it smooth enough. I guess you could use a dremel or sandpaper.

I've used plastic flower pots from Lowes and then just ran a flame over the edges to smooth them out.

I do want to try terra cotta someday though. I think maybe then my pastel male couldnt rearrange his tank every night by moving his plastic hides around. :)

Just use plastic flower pots. WAY simpler! All you have to do is solder a doorway or cut one out with a dremmel.

Excellent suggestions. Thank you!

I use the standard clay flower pots for my hide. I don't know if the following technique would work on a glazed pot (probably not).

First, soak the pot in warm water for a while. The clay will absorb water and make it less likely to crack.

Second, once the pot is well soaked, put it upside down on a surface. Take a flat headed screw driver and a hammer. Put the head of the screw driver on the edge of the hole that is already in the bottom of the pot.

Third, carefully tab the screwdriver with the hammer. Gradually hit with more force until a piece breaks away. Keep breaking away pieces (keep them small) until the hole is the size and shape you want.

Fourth, smooth the edges. I use a coarse sanding sponge, but any kind of sandpaper will work. Just make sure the edges are smooth and not sharp. Be sure to sand the edges in side the pot as well.

I've made a few hides this way and my snake loves them. It's nice because you can make the holes bigger as the snake grows.

The clay pots are really nice because you can soak them for extra moisture when your snake is shedding. Plus they look more natural in the habitat than plastic (and plastic can have sharp edges when you cut it).

I've done the same thing as lexx with some success. There is a really cool thread there that shows how to make your own hides out of homemade clay that you might want to check out... I plan on using it to make all my future hides

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tic-quot-Hides

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Originally Posted by Lexx

I use the standard clay flower pots for my hide. I don't know if the following technique would work on a glazed pot (probably not).

First, soak the pot in warm water for a while. The clay will absorb water and make it less likely to crack.

Second, once the pot is well soaked, put it upside down on a surface. Take a flat headed screw driver and a hammer. Put the head of the screw driver on the edge of the hole that is already in the bottom of the pot.

Third, carefully tab the screwdriver with the hammer. Gradually hit with more force until a piece breaks away. Keep breaking away pieces (keep them small) until the hole is the size and shape you want.

Fourth, smooth the edges. I use a coarse sanding sponge, but any kind of sandpaper will work. Just make sure the edges are smooth and not sharp. Be sure to sand the edges in side the pot as well.

I've made a few hides this way and my snake loves them. It's nice because you can make the holes bigger as the snake grows.

The clay pots are really nice because you can soak them for extra moisture when your snake is shedding. Plus they look more natural in the habitat than plastic (and plastic can have sharp edges when you cut it).

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Thank you!! :gj: I'm going to try this out today. I'm getting tired of one of my normal's tendency to rearrange its hides in the tub. Apparently my little "NoName" doesn't appreciate the way I set them up. :rolleyes: