Inexpensive Climbing Branches

I was curious if anyone knew which website has the best deals for climbing branches. I'm getting my ball python next week (shipped from the breeder) and I have everything else I need except the branches and plants. I didn't want to get them at PetCo because they seemed so overpriced yet poor quality ($10 for a 5'' plastic plant!?). Decorative stuff isn't important to me, I just want her to have something safe to climb on.

They don't need anything to climb on, in fact most people don't put anything in for their BP's to climb on.

This is how I set up my cages

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0455.jpg

bps are terrestrial so you dont have to provide them with anything to climb on

I put a climbing branch in with mine just because they look nice :3

I use these ones that are made of grape vines. Not sure what they are called, but they are about 50 dollars for one about the size of a 30 breeder tank.

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Originally Posted by apple2

they are about 50 dollars for one about the size of a 30 breeder tank.

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wowza :O

If you put in climbing branches, they'll climb them or possibly rub on them during shed, but they don't need them :3 The cheapest branches I've gotten were taken from my backyard, stripped of bark and put in 10 parts water 1 part bleach for several minutes, then baked in the oven for 10-15 minutes and allowed a day to cool before setting it in my enclosure. Only thing it costs me is a couple cents on my gas bill :P No evergreens!

Both io my bps have a branch they love them and climb at night. They where about $20 at pet smart.

I have one in my setup for my ball and I never see her on it. I put her on it one time and she was quick to get down. I guess mine is afraid of heights! :D

Not sure about the branch, but you can get cheap decorative plants and vines from the dollar store. And they're cheap enough to replace anytime.

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Originally Posted by Jazi

If you put in climbing branches, they'll climb them or possibly rub on them during shed, but they don't need them :3 The cheapest branches I've gotten were taken from my backyard, stripped of bark and put in 10 parts water 1 part bleach for several minutes, then baked in the oven for 10-15 minutes and allowed a day to cool before setting it in my enclosure. Only thing it costs me is a couple cents on my gas bill :P No evergreens!

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That's what I've heard, actually. That they need those things to rub on for shedding. Someone actually told me that they may not use the climbing branches but to not give them the option is cruel(?!)
I like the idea of finding and "making" the branches yourself. Would rather do that than buy them. ^^ Thanks for the tip!

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Not sure about the branch, but you can get cheap decorative plants and vines from the dollar store. And they're cheap enough to replace anytime.

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Good idea if you're into that look. I'm just not fond of plastic plants, they look tacky to me. I put my real plants nearby and on the tanks to weigh down the lids instead.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

They don't need anything to climb on, in fact most people don't put anything in for their BP's to climb on.

This is how I set up my cages

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0455.jpg

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Mine look like this too. They aren't climbers, so no climbing branches in mine. I used to have a stick/log thing in one of them and they never went near it. In fact, the best piece of "furniture" you can get for your bp is these black hides from reptile basics. I am positive they adore them, because I never see my snakes anymore since I got them! :D

I like the grape wood because its treated and sandblasted. Usually, any given piece can be safely and securely placed a number of ways. Giving climbing surfaces effectively increase the amount of usable space in the cage. Terrestrial animals encounter fallen logs...a 6" tall piece of wood doesn't constitute arboreal, it's simply providing a varied environment. They aren't cheap, though, but they are solid, sturdy, and treated!

A dowel from the hardware store works well.

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

That's what I've heard, actually. That they need those things to rub on for shedding. Someone actually told me that they may not use the climbing branches but to not give them the option is cruel(?!)
I like the idea of finding and "making" the branches yourself. Would rather do that than buy them. ^^ Thanks for the tip!

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I got the idea right after the hurricane on the east coast hit, so I went out and nabbed a few big thick branches before the city cleaned them all up and they sat around until I was able to buy the rest of the stuff for him. Definitely the biggest money saver there.

Also try looking for clearance deals. Some PetStores won't sell customer returns at full price. I got a big climbing tree for about $5 that way, gave it a bleach bath and it's good as new.

I got mine from the beach cleaned with 10 to 1 bleach and baked in the ate 300 for half an hour or so and there you go I got climbing branches :P

I have a year old BP and she LOVES I mean LOVES to climb at night..... People are terrestrial creators just like BPs........ Get the point?

Do BPs need climbing branches? No. And not providing them with one is not cruel. In the wild, BPs spend most of their lives in termite mounds.

Now, do BPs like climbing branches? Yes! Will they use them if offered? Yes!

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...5-21-11005.jpg

The one I have in Ella's cage (in pic above) is from PetSmart and cost $16. But I found dragonwood vines on ebay. These were bird perches and I removed the screws and bolts on the ends. This is nice because they are brand new and clean and made of wood that I know is safe for animals (manzanita, java, or dragonwood are all safe). A quick trip in the oven just to make sure there aren't any creepy crawlers that hitched a ride and they're ready to go.

And BTW, I also fully agree that those black hide boxes from Reptile Basics are the most valuable piece of furniture you can get for your BP!

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

I got mine from the beach cleaned with 10 to 1 bleach and baked in the ate 300 for half an hour or so and there you go I got climbing branches :P

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I did this with some driftwood and rinsed/soaked extremely well in hot water a bout 4-5 times about 45 minutes each to make sure the bleach was gone and air dried. They were very large pieces and had to do in the bath tub because they didn't fit in the oven for baking. (4' enclosure and the branches were originally for a beardie but now for our BP).

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

That's what I've heard, actually. That they need those things to rub on for shedding. Someone actually told me that they may not use the climbing branches but to not give them the option is cruel(?!)
I like the idea of finding and "making" the branches yourself. Would rather do that than buy them. ^^ Thanks for the tip!

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Whether or not you give your BP a climbing branch won't matter to him, so it's up to what you want in this situation. He can just as easily use the sides of the tank to help him shed. Just make sure it is secure enough that a heavy-bodied snake (which he will be eventually) can't topple it over and injure himself. Also, I would immediately stop taking advice from whoever tried to guilt you into getting one by telling you it would be cruel not to.

I also have a grapewood branch...I think it was about $15 or so. My BP likes to climb around on it late at night or when he's hungry and looking for food. I think to him it's just a "different" place that maybe he can discover a mouse near. I just prop it between the sides of the cage so it can't move with his weight.

If you get one just make sure it's relatively low, they really can't climb for beans even if they seem to enjoy wandering all over whatever's in the environment. :D Mine will even 'fall' from the top of his hide to the floor. :rolleyes:

Where'd you get it from ?

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Originally Posted by Lferg

I have a year old BP and she LOVES I mean LOVES to climb at night..... People are terrestrial creators just like BPs........ Get the point?

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Some love to climb, some are afraid of heights? ;P

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Whether or not you give your BP a climbing branch won't matter to him, so it's up to what you want in this situation. He can just as easily use the sides of the tank to help him shed. Just make sure it is secure enough that a heavy-bodied snake (which he will be eventually) can't topple it over and injure himself. Also, I would immediately stop taking advice from whoever tried to guilt you into getting one by telling you it would be cruel not to.

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Haha, I did. She was kind of :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:y and snappy about everything I inquired so I didn't take the "cruel" comment too seriously.
I'll probably see how my BP likes the tank with just the hides and water bowl, let her settle in and digest a meal before adding anything else. If she seems particularly fond of climbing I might put something in.

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

Haha, I did. She was kind of :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:y and snappy about everything I inquired so I didn't take the "cruel" comment too seriously.
I'll probably see how my BP likes the tank with just the hides and water bowl, let her settle in and digest a meal before adding anything else. If she seems particularly fond of climbing I might put something in.

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I just setup my enclosure and have it as a display enclosure so the decor also gives us humans something to look at when she is asleep or hiding. Ours seemed to like climbing a little but I wouldn't have gone out of my way to purchase climbing branches. If you found a nice piece of driftwood that will support the weight of the snake and you sterilize it and secure it then it doesn't cost you anything but time. It is one more thing to clean on cleaning day though. I fear my cage will take a little time but since we only have one and gecko I don't mind at all. It depends what you want like others said it isn't a requirement. Sometimes less is more. Enjoy your new snake!

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Originally Posted by sbit

I also have a grapewood branch...I think it was about $15 or so. My BP likes to climb around on it late at night or when he's hungry and looking for food. I think to him it's just a "different" place that maybe he can discover a mouse near. I just prop it between the sides of the cage so it can't move with his weight.

If you get one just make sure it's relatively low, they really can't climb for beans even if they seem to enjoy wandering all over whatever's in the environment. :D Mine will even 'fall' from the top of his hide to the floor. :rolleyes:

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LOL, they sound like such lovable derps. x)

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Originally Posted by whispersinmyhead

I did this with some driftwood and rinsed/soaked extremely well in hot water a bout 4-5 times about 45 minutes each to make sure the bleach was gone and air dried. They were very large pieces and had to do in the bath tub because they didn't fit in the oven for baking. (4' enclosure and the branches were originally for a beardie but now for our BP).

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Great idea if you live near a beach! Unfortunately I'm far from it. :P

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

Great idea if you live near a beach! Unfortunately I'm far from it. :P

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Yeah I got mine from a lake that we camped at. The pet stores just charge an absolute fortune fr my experience. I wouldn't worry bother with it unless you run into something cheap and you want it in the cage then.

plumping pipes/elbow of pvc or similar plastic, are pretty cheap. and can make decent climbing og a spare hide. Although everybody say they dont need anything to climb on, I dont see the problem having it, maybe it stimulates their mind a bit, Who knows!?

My BP is hanging out on hers alot :)

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Originally Posted by Fcknlulu

Where'd you get it from ?

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Sorry! Just a small local pet store. They specialize in birds, fish, and exotics...maybe a similar place near you might sell one?

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Originally Posted by skinnyrascal

LOL, they sound like such lovable derps. x)

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They aaaaaare :D Such cuties. I have to admit...I...I want another...





help :tears: