Kaa's new habitat!

I finally got this setup for him (Kaa, our male Ball Python). It has a ceramic heat bulb on the hot side, and a nice florescent light for display purpose. This is great... it has good ventilation, stays nice and warm ambiance, and humidity is doing great without moisture substrate contact. The front is plexi on a slide track to open, and there is even a lock.

I am going to hit up the dollar store this evening for more fake foliage.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/802/cage1rp5.jpg

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/5729/cage2ew1.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4121/cage3wf9.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9043/cage4cv5.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2039/cage5mf8.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8172/cage6zx2.jpg

Looking like a nice enclosure there - one slight suggestion though.


It might be worth making the cage around the CHE a little deeper so there is more of a gap between the bottom of the element and the bottom of the gaurd.

It's just a precaution thing really but try holding your hand up to the bottom of the mesh and see how hot it is. I try and give mine about a 2" clearance all round to prevent little flickering tongue's doing something dumber than usual.

What are you using for a cool end hide? I toyed with the idea of making large hides out of concrete once but don't have the skill.:oops:

**edit**

I just looked at the bulb holder for the CHE - what's that made of? Even with a good dimming thermostat you really should use ceramic holders or metal at the very least as the plastic ones either flat out melt and burn or become brittle and disintegrate eventually.

**/edit**


dr del

It is all metal (just a white coated thing... metal paint that is heat resistant, I imagine... because it is working wonderfully and is not hot). The basket cage around it actually does give a few inches of clearance - the screws that hold the unit in place were not tightened back in post-move (leaving it to dangle a bit) and I did not realize it until I looked at these photos (we have since screwed it back in place!). The metal is non-conducting (can touch it with my hand without harm).

The setup so far is going really well!

Right now the hide on the cool side is under a hollow log, but I have a retro drawer from an old dresser with a cool paint job on the front... and I have cut a snake-sized hole on the bottom. It will be the cool side hide tonight, once I get on to doing pet and tank maint this evening!

Cool,


Sounds like you have thing's well under control then.:)

Keep the pics coming. :carrot: :carrot:


dr del

If I was a snake, I'd have a great time in that enclosure :)