The perfect hide?

Hi

June the newbie here. I am about to go into my studio to make some hides for the bp my daughter is hopefully getting next week. Being a potter, I have the luxury of being able to make whatever type of hide my little heart dreams of! heh heh :D

In searching the forums, I have learned that hides should be small enough to touch the snake on all sides, but I have seen hides with holes in the top, and holes in the side. I was going to make it round, which is easiest since I can just throw it on my wheel, but which entry would be ideal? Or should I make them with both a top and side entry? And how big should it be for, say, an '06 baby (we haven't chosen a particular snake yet)?

I was going to leave it unglazed. It will still be vitrified (non porous) for sanitation's sake, but unglazed it will be slightly rough which I am hoping will be useful when it comes time for the bp to shed.

So, can someone advise on total size, and opening location and size? I'd appreciate it! Thanks so much!

I'd go for the opening on the side, that way you won't have to worry about the snake getting bigger and getting stuck in the top opening. Otherwise I don't think there is much of a difference, but I'd stick with only one opening.

I wouldn't worry about the rough surface either. Most of mine shed inside their smooth plastic hides, with almost perfect results. So, a 'rough' surface is not required for a clean shed.

As for size, that's going to be hard to judge without seeing your snake. I'd take a couple plastic bowls and try them on for size. You want something that is nice and snug without too much head room.

I hope that helps a bit.

Thanks Christie (LOVE your siggy line, btw...cracks me up!)

Makes sense about having the hole in the side...I didn't think of the snake getting stuck!

Maybe I'll make a few in different sizes. I'd like to have them done before we get the snake, so we don't stress it out changing things around. I guess if my daughter wants them a particular color I'll go ahead and glaze, otherwise just leave them plain. The clay won't be really rough- it just won't be slick-smooth.

Thanks. I've been a bit out of sorts, and it makes me laugh too. :rolleyes:

I just didn't want you to think you HAD to have a rough surface. I think making a few sounds like a great idea. I'm super jealous that you work with pottery. I took a class in high school (long, long ago) and loved it!!

Make sure to post some pics too when you've finished them. ;)

Yup, playing in the mud is what I do...;) It's a nice job but I am completely burnt out from working too hard during the holidays...notice how I'm still posting here instead of getting muddy...LOL

this is what i used when my ball python was young:

medium hide this hide had the dimensions of 10"x5" and 2" high

and then i moved to this one when he outgrew that one:

large hide

and now... as an 18 month old ball python male he's in these ones (cause of course you use two identical hides)

extra large hide

and... welcome to the forum! ;) you can probably see these hides at a local petstore if you need to see them in person but i'm guessing... as a potter... just the dimensions and pic should be enough for you :P

Thanks! The dimensions help a lot. Mine won't be very naturalistic, but hopefully they will make the bp feel comfy! Hmm... I should make a waterbowl to match... guess I'd better get busy!

oh definitely!!! i have the matching water dishes in my enclosures ;)

Basically you want a hide that's slightly bigger than the snake is coiled up and an entrance hole either in the side or in the roof that will fit the snake in even when it's belly is full. Here's a couple of pics of our baby hides. The terracotta saucer one we don't use anymore but it fit fairly well up to about 5 or 6 months old, the blue bowls are from the dollar store and are what I'd call small cereal bowl size (about 3.5 inches deep by about 6.5 inches across if that helps). The snakes currently fitting into these blue bowls were all hatched summer of 06.

Terracott hide with side entrance chipped out....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...lingBPHide.jpg

BP of about 4 or 5 months old hunting from the above hide....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ngFromHide.jpg

Plastic blue bowl with roof entrance (and snuggly happy 06 BP in it)....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...chlingHide.jpg

Just to illustrate tub housing of BPs:

05 female in her tub....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...hernewhome.jpg

03 female in her tub (aspen substrate)....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...nnaghinTub.jpg

Typical young BP setup utilizing terracotta hides (note Acu-Rite on left aka cool side with probe feeding into warm side hide on the right & non-spill easy to clean too small to soak in heavy water dish)....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...MuirnesTub.jpg

Just make sure that water dish is sealed so it can be disinfected. Darn standing water in a warm environment will go mucky if you don't watch it (regular changes of course help) but just by evaporation you'll get some build up on the sides from hard water, etc.

Hope these pics help. :)