Thoughts on using Styrofoam in an enclosure...

I have 3 BP juvies and plan on moving them each to 41 qt tubs and using a Styrofoam block to keep the enclosure small enough while they are young and cutting it down to size as the snake grows.

Is there any problems with using Styrofoam? I'm not sure if it gives off any toxins that may harm the animal.

Thanks for your suggestions and insights.:)

Cheers,

Mike

I don't think there are any toxins to worry about but I'd probably either use smaller tubs ( they only cost about $15 right? )or just try them with extra hides in the larger tubs.

I'd be worried about pee getting under the block in the tub but, more importantly, the location of the heat sources.

Are you going to make the tub designed for full sized then block off the hot end or the cool end?

Either way seems less than ideal really. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

I don't think there are any toxins to worry about but I'd probably either use smaller tubs ( they only cost about $15 right? )or just try them with extra hides in the larger tubs.

I'd be worried about pee getting under the block in the tub but, more importantly, the location of the heat sources.

Are you going to make the tub designed for full sized then block off the hot end or the cool end?

Either way seems less than ideal really. :(

---

x2, it makes sense with tanks to try to divide them, but tubs are so cheap it really doesn't.

If you are really bent on trying to divide your tub(s) I would look into something other than styrofoam. A thin sheet of corrugated plastic (form home depot) That you could hot glue into place would be much better. When the time comes, carefully reheat the hot glue and remove/move the divider.

Heat sources would be the biggest issue with that-- when styrofoam melts, it gives off toxins that are dangerous for us humans to breathe in, let alone a tiny creature with one functioning lung. A thermostat malfunction could prove to be even more dangerous, especially inside an enclosed tub.

I wouldn't do it, but that's me. I would just get some smaller tubs and a boatload of hides.

I've been using extruded polystyrene to make hides for my reptiles for a while now. I carve the stuff and then use a non toxic paint to make it look nice and make it easy to clean. I recently took a 40 gallon breeder tank and used 3/4" polystyrene panels to make the tank covered on 3 sides and I even have a panel on top right under the screen to keep the humidity in. So far it is working well. There is a guy on youtube by the name of reptilecreation that shows you how to make some of this stuff. My hatchling BP really loves the cave system I made her out of the stuff. She basically has a cold and warm hide connected by a tunnel with a escape hatch in the middle of the tunnel on top. She feels real secure in there.

So far I haven't noticed any ill effects. I would just make sure you take your time and let the paint on the polystyrene dry completely (use non-toxic paint) before you put it in the enclosure.

I also wouldn't use styrofoam as cleaning it will also be a PITA when it gets soiled. If you don't want to purchase a bunch of hides, crumpled newspaper works to clutter up a large tub and make smaller snakes feel more secure.