Hide-Boxes

Hello everyone! I have a ball python ready to be sent to me any day I wish, but I still need to find/create appropriate sized hideboxes for the little guy! He just hatched a few weeks ago, has shed and eaten 3 times, and I don't know the weight. Can anyone give me some tips here? The cheaper the better, and if I can make it, that'd be even better!

Check out this site:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

The best hides IMO, are these black ones from Reptile Basics. On his website he has which size is best for different size snake. They are very secure, easy to clean, and reasonably priced. They look like this-
http://img.tapatalk.com/aefdc882-4129-d1ef.jpg

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I was actually just looking at those! But what size should I get for my snake?

Depends on the size, i have personally never had one so i am not 100% sure i would say the mini or the small:)

I would order reptile basics ones bc i love them. But if you are tight with money just use a tiny cardboard box. For a hatchling thats small you wouldnt need a very big box. A granola bar box would even be too big for him probably.

I think size small is suggested for baby balls. Mini is for baby colubrids.

Go to Walmart and pick up 2 of the small pastic planters(like .98 cents each), cut an opening on both of them and tape the sides if theyre sharp. Simple and super cheap.

I love reptile basic hides that's all I use for my balls and carpet. But for you I woulnt even order one, you will spend more on shipping than the hide box. Go with fedels idea or a cermaic pot holder with a hole on the side.
When I order hides from RBI i either buy a bunch or I have other things I need to order from them.
Tom

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Originally Posted by fedele

Go to Walmart and pick up 2 of the small pastic planters(like .98 cents each), cut an opening on both of them and tape the sides if theyre sharp. Simple and super cheap.

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Personally, I wouldn't put tape of any sort inside an enclosure. I have read way to many stories......

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Personally, I wouldn't put tape of any sort inside an enclosure. I have read way to many stories......

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x2

Tape should never be used inside a cage, that is just asking for trouble.

It would be much better to use a cheap soldering iron to smooth out any sharp edges

I love the hides sold on reptile basics

This picture shows a 200 gram pastel BP along with the mini, small, and medium size hides (at the time she was using the small size:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/da98c371.jpg

Reptile basic hides are the way to go hands down. And if you your snake gets too big for a small one, but not quite filling up a medium one, stuff paper towels in there until it fits nice and tight. :) that's what I had to do with mine

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Personally, I wouldn't put tape of any sort inside an enclosure. I have read way to many stories......

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Then solder an opening, or use sandpaper. Simple and cheap either way.

Here is one I made from a black 1 gallon bucket that I bought at Dollar Tree. It cost me, you guessed it, one dollar. I just cut the bottom four inches of the bucket off and put a mouse hole shape in it. It may be just a little bit big for a hatchling but you could always crumble a little paper up and put it underneath to take up some of the space. It is also dishwasher safe if you put it in the top rack.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...tmars/hide.jpg

If you do order from reptile basics, go ahead and order the sizes you will need in the future as well. Obviously I don't know your finances but if you can swing it go ahead and get everything you will need for the life of your snake. You will need them so you might as well avoid future shipping charges...

Any type of tape in a snake enclosure is an incredibly bad idea.

You simply can't beat the Reptile Basics hides :gj:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Any type of tape in a snake enclosure is an incredibly bad idea.

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Hence soldering or sandpaper. ;)

For my 4 foot female, I was getting rid of mites and used a regular shoe box, so for your baby you wouldn't need much. Find something small and cute decorate it, etc. I usually wait until I get the extra money and then upgrade. So now she has a large cave on the warm side and the shoe box on the cool side. Good luck, keep us updated and post some pics!!!!!! :)

Hucklecookie

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Originally Posted by fedele

Hence soldering or sandpaper. ;)

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When I cut a opening in the hides I use a lighter and melt the sharp edges smooth.

I picked up some of the smallest plain terracotta pots from Lowe's. $1.38 apiece. Used a Dremel to grind the drain holes a little larger then put a bevel on both sides to smooth the edges out. :) Place upside down on top of the substrate and voila. Cheap, easy, and my snake seems to be a fan. Spends most of the day in the one on the cool side with about 30 mins to an hour in the one on the hot side.

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Originally Posted by hucklecookie

For my 4 foot female, I was getting rid of mites and used a regular shoe box, so for your baby you wouldn't need much. Find something small and cute decorate it, etc. I usually wait until I get the extra money and then upgrade. So now she has a large cave on the warm side and the shoe box on the cool side. Good luck, keep us updated and post some pics!!!!!! :)

Hucklecookie

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Unless you are geriatric, please type like everyone else. It is really odd to read a thread and some across someone who is typing in ridiculous font. We can all read normal forum font..please use it

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

Here is one I made from a black 1 gallon bucket that I bought at Dollar Tree. It cost me, you guessed it, one dollar. I just cut the bottom four inches of the bucket off and put a mouse hole shape in it. It may be just a little bit big for a hatchling but you could always crumble a little paper up and put it underneath to take up some of the space. It is also dishwasher safe if you put it in the top rack.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...tmars/hide.jpg

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This is what I do. I used a soldering iron to cut the hole, but found It was still a bit sharp around the edges. I just used a lighter to melt the sharp spots.

If you plan on owning a lot of snakes, it is fairly cheaper.

My display animals get the expensive cave-like hides.

I use RBI hide boxes and I love them. I agree though if you are just buying 2 or 3 it might not be very cost effective.

Alright, so RBI hides I think are the way to go, everyone here seems to not have had problems with the hides. I will probably order 2 smalls, and 2 mediums. Will the BP ever get big enough to fill the large?

Also, as a general question, how do I know when to upgrade the bin size? I'm going to be using a 12qt starting off.

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Originally Posted by JOsborn

Alright, so RBI hides I think are the way to go, everyone here seems to not have had problems with the hides. I will probably order 2 smalls, and 2 mediums. Will the BP ever get big enough to fill the large?

Also, as a general question, how do I know when to upgrade the bin size? I'm going to be using a 12qt starting off.

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When it looks like the BP is wearing it as a hat then you know. Basically if he is in there and not all of him fits.

Alright, thank you very much! Will I need to order the large hideboxes for my BP in long run?

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Originally Posted by JOsborn

Alright, thank you very much! Will I need to order the large hideboxes for my BP in long run?

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Well my BP is in a medium sized one and once he outgrows it I'm not going to even use one. So it's up to you and your setup might change.

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Originally Posted by RetiredJedi

Well my BP is in a medium sized one and once he outgrows it I'm not going to even use one. So it's up to you and your setup might change.

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Oh and he weighs 1233g.