Benefits of snake enclosures vs aquariums

I've been considering what enclosure to get for my snake. I've seen people talking about two popular companies that make enclosures for snakes (don't remember what). I can buy a large aquarium ~40 gallons for relatively cheap. Is there a reason I should spend $100+ on an enclosure? I've heard aquariums don't have enough depth, but I think a 40 gal tank should have decent floor space for a snake.

One word for you, weight. I have a few 40 gallon terrariums for snakes. And one 40 gallon aquarium for fish, but it has a snake in it. It’s so darn heavy and hard to move. Spend the money, save yourself a back ace.


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If you live in the majority of North America where winter isn't exactly tropical snake friendly, a glass tank is going to make you work extra hard to keep things perfect. Since getting my pvc enclosure for my ball python I have not had to worry about husbandry conditions. After 7 years I got tired of glass.

What enclosure would you recommend?

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Originally Posted by Glass

What enclosure would you recommend?

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for a BP: http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T8/T8.htm

heres another reputable brand im pretty sure but i dont know what size would be proper for a BP

http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-cages/


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Not all snakes require the same enclosure. My ball python is in a 4x2x 15' high pvc, my rosy boa is in a 20 long glass tank and my GTP will be in a 2x2x2 pvc cube while she grows and eventually a 3x2x2 pvc

Glass is good for temperate species and low humidity snakes like rosy boas, hognose, and some north american colubrids

Sorry I didn't clarify. I'm getting a ball python.

PVC.....easier husbandry

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Originally Posted by Glass

What enclosure would you recommend?

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For a ball python, I would highly recommend:

http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T10/T10.htm

http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile...ge-ships-flat/

Either of those would be great for an adult ball python. I would not recommend an aquarium for the following reasons:

1. Glass is extremely heavy, especially with substrate in it.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

One word for you, weight.

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2. If you go with the glass aquarium you will likely either need a custom lid or have to foil/wrap a portion of it to keep in humidity. Glass itself holds humidity fine, but few commercial terrariums come with humidity appropriate lids.

3. Glass has a higher thermal conductivity, which makes it a poorer insulator than plastic. Also, the plastic in the above enclosures is much thicker than aquarium glass so, in short, keeping in heat is much easier with thick plastic.

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Originally Posted by Regius_049

For a ball python, I would highly recommend:

http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T10/T10.htm

http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile...ge-ships-flat/

Either of those would be great for an adult ball python. I would not recommend an aquarium for the following reasons:

1. Glass is extremely heavy, especially with substrate in it.



2. If you go with the glass aquarium you will likely either need a custom lid or have to foil/wrap a portion of it to keep in humidity. Glass itself holds humidity fine, but few commercial terrariums come with humidity appropriate lids.

3. Glass has a higher thermal conductivity, which makes it a poorer insulator than plastic. Also, the plastic in the above enclosures is much thicker than aquarium glass so, in short, keeping in heat is much easier with thick plastic.

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i can attest to the humidity, it was insanely hard to keep the humidity in a glass tank above 30% unless my room itself was humid.

weight can be an issue for some, i can personally lift a 40 breeder critter cage by myself, its just an awkward thing to carry. then again, ive never owned a PVC enclosure, ive built all of mine out of wood (talk about heavy)

if you wanted to, you could go out and buy thin acrylic to put over the top screen. will cost you $20-$30 at Home Depot. this might help keep in humidity, cant say for sure though, just an idea.


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