Tank Improvements

Bright202-

Yes the snake might not need it, but there is nothing wrong with making it look nice for the handler as well. I think it is a bit much of you to throw in your two cents about how it is not necessary and he should just leave it alone, when he wants to make it look nice. Not to mention it will not hurt the snake to add a bit more the the tank, especially a glass tank, to create a more secure fealing for a baby snake. This can be paralleled to adding crumpled newspaper to a baby snakes cage to make it feel more secure.

I remember a time not too long ago when you were flipping out with questions every two minutes and looking for the cool factor with an exo terra arboreal tank, etc.... I'd look at some of the other posts about creating an environment where the snake does not feel exposed a lot.

I'd even go so far as to say that some people here WOULD say the snake benefits from it.

Thats just my .02, let him make it look nice

-Camp

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Originally Posted by bcampos

Bright202-

Yes the snake might not need it, but there is nothing wrong with making it look nice for the handler as well. I think it is a bit much of you to throw in your two cents about how it is not necessary and he should just leave it alone, when he wants to make it look nice. Not to mention it will not hurt the snake to add a bit more the the tank, especially a glass tank, to create a more secure fealing for a baby snake. This can be paralleled to adding crumpled newspaper to a baby snakes cage to make it feel more secure.

I remember a time not too long ago when you were flipping out with questions every two minutes and looking for the cool factor with an exo terra arboreal tank, etc.... I'd look at some of the other posts about creating an environment where the snake does not feel exposed a lot.

I'd even go so far as to say that some people here WOULD say the snake benefits from it.

Thats just my .02, let him make it look nice

-Camp

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Sure he can use it, but what I have learned is that, all that stuff in a tank, isn't something it needs. If its just a baby, ya, go ahead, he can do whatever he wants with his tank, buts like I said, its just my opinion.

Oh and I switched to tubs, soon to be a rack. :D

yeah i agree with the majority. my royal loves hanging out in his bush so i've ordered another for the other corner. he loves to climb but sadly he's not very good as i keep hearing a clunk, look round to find him back on the floor :P lets hope he gets better!
as for which to have, i went for the exo terra abutilon, they come in three sizes, various styles, can be secured to a glass tank very well with the provided sucker and look very natural. i have a wooden viv so i used a staple gun to secure it to the wall.

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Originally Posted by rottendj

yeah i agree with the majority. my royal loves hanging out in his bush so i've ordered another for the other corner. he loves to climb but sadly he's not very good as i keep hearing a clunk, look round to find him back on the floor :P lets hope he gets better!

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The snake won't get better at climbing, they are ground dwellers and with their girthy bodies aren't particularily good climbers. It's best to keep all cage "furniture" low to the ground so your snake isn't falling from heights that might harm or stress it.

There's nothing wrong with fake vinery, etc. Especially in a glass tank it can help the snake feel less exposed. As long as you keep in mind that ball pythons don't make particularily good display type snakes and have reasonable expectations that way, then go for it. Always check plastic plants for exposed wires, leaves that can easily be pulled off and snip off the hanging O ring that soem come with. Remember to clean them regularily so they don't get nasty (snakes will poop and pee on anything LOL).

Here's an example of a background we found at a pet store for our daughter's milksnake's home. You could also try printing one out from online, or looking at wallpaper rolls in the discount bin at your local home decorating store.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ProudOwner.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...0MonthsOld.jpg

Another idea for backgrounds is tissue paper. You can find zillions of cool prints at Hobby Lobby or other places, it only costs like $1.99, and you get a crap load of it. That's what I used to do her leopard print background. Just an idea.

Good point about making sure climbing things are low as the snake gets older, I should have said something. *slaps hand*

As far as putting the plants in, don't get loose florals that have to be anchored, cause they can have exposed wires and WILL get knocked over. The best thing to do is get the vines, cut off the hanging ring (unless you can install a suction cup to it) and either suction them to the lower walls of the tank or just lay them out where you want them. The snake will then 'arrange' them to where he wants. I have two plants made for reptile cages with the suction cups and my girl loves slithering through them and covering the openings to her caves with the tendrils.

Another background idea would be fabric. Thicker and thus warmer, comes in Many different designs including reptiles, and can easily be installed around the outsides with velcro.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

The snake won't get better at climbing, they are ground dwellers and with their girthy bodies aren't particularily good climbers. It's best to keep all cage "furniture" low to the ground so your snake isn't falling from heights that might harm or stress it.
on anything LOL).

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I wouldnt say he fell from a height as it was no higher than your milk snake in the pic although i appreciate your concern :)

Well let me tell ya. I just finished spending more money than i really meant too lol. I think i got some pretty good stuff though. I bought some T-Rex Cypress Bedding. I think it will help with my humidity issues at least im hoping it will anyway. Not that the humidity has really been a problem. Its been staying a constant 40% no matter how much i mist. I know I know your all gonna say you should go with a tub but oh well lol. I keep damp papertowels in the two caves and the two sheds he has had have been great with no problems. I also got 2 things of Flukers English Ivy repti vines with a sucktion cup on the bottom. I thought the English Ivy looked the most realistic of the selection they had so thats what I went with. I just finished ordering an Exo-Terra textured background from www.petsmart.com and of course they didnt have one long enough to fit my tank so I went ahead and ordered two so hopefully i can get it all cut down to fit. Check it out and tell me what you think just type background in the search and it should pop up. I just fed the little guy last night so im gonna wait till saturday to fix up the tank cause i dont want to bother him right now on a full stomach. Ill post pics when i fix it up so you can tell me what else i should do to improve. So ya keep the comments coming cause you all have great ideas and opinions.