my first post w/pics.. DUW

Ok one HUGE reason would be... You can monitor and control the temperature of a heat source, however you cannot do the same for the sun. You could easily have a hot day and cook the snakes. You're in Florida, I know how the heat can be - I live in SC and it's even more hot and humid where you are.

Since you need to get another set up, why don't you take a look at using a tub instead. It's a lot more convenient. Are you just using a lamp? IMO the under tank heaters work much better, I'm sure you could get the enclosure up to temperature, even in the cooler house.

If they were wild (which they're not now that they're being kept in a cage) they would be living in Africa---which is a completely different biosphere compared to south florida. A snake in the wild can leave an area it's uncomfortable in---most wild ball pythons spend a huge quantity of time in underground burrows where it's cooler and keeps more moisture than the air. If a burrow doesn't provide them what they need, they can move to another.

In captivity, they can't go anywhere. We have to provide the perfect environment for them because they can't go find it themselves. Once you put an animal in a cage, you take on the responsibility of making that cage as close to perfect as possible. Putting them outside exposes them to all kinds of fluctuations in temp and humidity---things they wouldn't even be exposed to in their natural setting.

EDIT: Good call on the tub idea, Amy!!! If you don't want to spend a whole bundle of money on another cage, grab a plastic tub or two. They're small, convenient (cleaning and otherwise) and you can really put them anywhere!

what is a tub? isnt that tacky? can you even see the snakes through them? wouldnt UTH melt the plastic? can we maybe post a link or pics of what to look for? i plan to go today to get it..as for the UTH they would be easier in the sense one less thing to fall off the enclosure, but again we run into the problem of our sons pulling the enclosure over unless we put it somewhere in the kitchen, at least there they are away from everything... its a thought. would i be better off at that point getting a small for one side of the enclosure? what about using those beast bedding i think they are called.. right now they have some kind of loose almost soft shavings, (seen in the pics)

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Originally Posted by AshleyB

what is a tub? Like a plastic rubbermaid or sterilite tub isnt that tacky? no can you even see the snakes through them? yeswouldnt UTH melt the plastic? no as for the UTH they would be easier in the sense one less thing to fall off the enclosure, but again we run into the problem of our sons pulling the enclosure over unless we put it somewhere in the kitchen, at least there they are away from everything... its a thought. they stick to the underside, but you really need to keep them away from children anyway if they might tip something over would i be better off at that point getting a small for one side of the enclosure? what about using those beast bedding i think they are called.. right now they have some kind of loose almost soft shavings, (seen in the pics)

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how does the UTH not melt the plastic? its warm/hot? (insert puzzled face) ive been advised to get a thermostat too, lordy lordy if only id known

Tubs are SO easy to maintain, clean, BUY (more $ for the other stuff you need), they hold humidity and temps well. The UTH won't melt the plastic, I promise you, I have 4 snakes in tubs and they work wonderfully. With the UTH, you connect it to a rheostat or thermostat, and you can then control the temperature in the tub. It sounds like a lot of stuff to buy, but when you take the expense of a glass tank out of the equation, it's not bad.

I wish I had a picture of my tub setup to show you.

Rubbermaid... a flat tub as opposed to a taller one. They don't need the height. And, yeah, you can't really see through them, but the advantage is, nor can the snakes. So you don't have to buy hides, and they feel more secure... like they're in their own little burrow.


Also, try aspen or carefresh (which comes in multiple colors) if you want something to look nice. Newspaper if you want economical and easy.

EDIT: Here's a pic of my old rack set-up... these are about the same size tubs as the under-bed tubs. And if you get a good thermostat, the UTH's ill never get hot enough to melt the plastic.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...g/000_0175.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...g/000_0171.jpg

OK i suppose i need to know what size "tub" i need... dang, almost takes the fun out of having them to keep them in the kitchen :( can they more or less be stacked or must they be side/side? can you post pictures of your enclosures? what about lids, do you just poke holes in them? wth do i do with this big a$$ 20gal then? i would almost feel as though im playing favorites if i leave one in a nice glass and one in a bin. i dont need the lamps then if i have just UTH? do you use the little sticky "legs" that come with the UTH on the bins?

WOW, They look so small!! the baby boy likes climbing :( what about using fake leaves/sticks/hides/exc.. not nessesary? dang just like starting over! im going to call the store today and see if i can exchange the big ass tank for supplies or something, i can at least get some money back for that huge tank we have! did you build your stand? can i stack them maybe seperating the bins with books between them for the time being? until i can find such a stand lol

They're not really arboreal. Once they're settled in, they probably will spend 90% of their time in a hide, not doing much of anything.

You could probably stack them, but you may want something to separate them to keep one tub from overheating with the heat from the other.