Update on "Beginner just got a Burm."

Thanks. Solitary Confinement it is for the first week.


As to the type of cage, I have no idea - no label on it. However, I'll definitely ask about it tomorrow (Shucks, I can't tell you the brand name of our guinea pig cage, puppy crate or aquarium either! :P ) I just looked at it pretty thoroughly. The spline holding the mesh in looks snug. The door to the cage opens outward and is held in place by 2 plastic things (similar to what is on the back of some picture frames) that you turn up & out of the way to open the door. I'm thinking about adding a lock of some sort just to add a 3rd level of protection. Knowing I have a thing about getting bigger & better, I'll go to all of the recommended cage websites and probably wind up with something from one of them within a few months, if not sooner.

Joanna, thanks for the info. I've been checking out all of the care sheets I can find on Corns, Kings and Balls. I have no intention of getting in over my head again.

You have a great attitude about owning a snake Melissa! I am glad you got it sorted out as far as the burm too. I am sure that a snake in your household will be very rewarding for all of you.

We had a california kingsnake not too long ago, my daughter bought him for herself, and I ended up caring for him, however, colubrids are no longer in my interests. I had lots of king snakes over the years though, and they were all great and easy to care for. However, I would not use the type of caging you are describing, I would go out and get a big rubber maid, they are easy to clean, cheap and easy to secure and light weight. The king we had before I gave him to my Dad (Dad just fell in love with him), eats well and is never a problem. In fact, he still lives in his rubber maid and I am pretty sure he will not outgrow it as it is HUGE. Plus it is easier to keep your heat right in rubber maids than the type of caging you have described. I hope you keep us all updated on your adventures, and we sure would love to see pics of your new arrival. Have a great day!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2006+113495



Here's a picture of the cage that we have. It's on the Dr.'s Fosters and Smith website. Is plexiglass safe for use with snakes? My thought was to put it around the outside of the cage. I'll have to think about how to secure it (too tired to do so right now) but I know it can be done. I'm used to doing small projects on our RV so this shouldn't be hard as long as I know what materials are safe to use with snakes.

Thanks!

Melissa

Yep, plexiglass is fine, although it scratches easily(clean with caution-no abrasive cleaners). You can drill through it and secure it to the enclosure with zip cable ties. I would put plexi on all of the sides, even the top and the bottom part of the front. This will help hold in heat as well as a little humidity. You can keep the door uncovered for air flow.

I prefer rubbermaid/sterilite/iris tubs just for the fact that they hold heat/humidity better and the snakes feel more secure in them. The ones I have had for Amani, my ball, have all been see-through and secure(locking lids). The most expensive tub would probably be the one she is in currently. It cost $14 from Target. If this screen cage ends up not working out, just know that there is another option to go to.

Another thing is that if the snake poops in the screen enclosure, it will be a pain to scrub each time(and colubrids go and go and go everytime you turn around, hehe). With a tub, you just pick up the feces/urates, spray with a little nolvasan disinfectant, and wipe clean. I spot clean while Amani is in the enclosure, and deep clean with Amani in a pillowcase on my mom's lap :) Deep cleaning is a breeze as well. Put the tub in the bathtub, get some Dawn/Palmolive/etc, wash the tub and dry. If you put plexiglass on the F.A.Habitat, that is alot of nooks and crannies to get clean and just seems like a waste of valuable time, especially if you have children running around.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from using the enclosure you already have, I'm just trying to save you some time and "pain in the butt" moments :)

If you want pictures of rubbermaid/sterilite enclosures, let us know. Most look quite nice, and since you may get a Kingsnake, they are very good at keeping the snakes INSIDE where they should be, LoL.

Thanks for the info Becky. Will have to see if there's anyway I can solidly affix the plexiglass to the inside of the bottom for now. I'm not real wild about the current cage but we paid $75 for the darn thing. Payday is in the next couple of days. May just say to heck with it, pimp the current cage on Ebay and get a glass aquarium. I like the way they look. Will probably wind up putting a bungee cord around it lengthwise plus stacking a couple of books on top.


Melissa

Melissa, thanks for posting the site that has the enclosure I plan on ordering one of those for my Water Dragon it should work out awsome for him how sturdy is it?

I'd get rid of the mesh,and get a rubbermaid container.I got a 32 qt. and it should last my Ball Python for at least another 6 months-year.In your case it should last a lifetime.I would leave him alone for a week except for changing water.And beleive me,I know how hard it is to resist holding a new herp on the first day. :) Good Luck!You could always sell the mesh cage on Reptimart. It's just like Ebay,but it is for herp enthusiasts, and some water dragon owners might be looking for some.

Funny thing is with that enclosure the web site shows it with bearded dragons, talk about a wasted space and semi unsafe enclosure for a BD, I would be worrie about them climbing and falling since they can climb but they are not the best of climbers. that and proper heating for a BD in that would be near impossible.

It's working out great, surprisingly. So far, Crash seems to be pleased with his surroundings. My son put a good 6"-8" of aspen substrate in and he loves hiding in it during the day when the lamp is off. Greg says that around 7 p.m. or so, he'll come out and lay on top of it, to bask in the lamp, sometimes going up on to the wood piece we've got in there.

It's sturdier than I expected. It has a solid bottom, which will make cleaning eaiser when it's time to disinfect the whole cage. Security hasn't been an issue. The door is on the side and has 2 screw-in plastic closures that you turn to lock the door shut. I don't take any chances - always check it for any signs of loosening or holes every day. However, it's been solid as a rock. Greg has it in a corner of his room where it isn't drafty and is darker during the day. He switches on the lamp between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. and leaves it on till he heads for school - usually 7:30 a.m. or so.

Melissa

Sometimes, odd cages like that can work for you. I have one of my ball pythons in a weird plexiglass/metal type of cage with sliding doors in front. It does have a perforated metal top, but I just cover it with sheets of plexiglass around shed time, to retain humidity.
You said that there are no drafts in the room; that is important with open-type cages. I am not knowledgible on the keeping of kingsnakes, but you should keep an eye on your temperatures and humidity.
I think you made the right chioce regarding the Burm. :)