Repurposed Room for Snake Enclosure?

Hi everyone,
I don't plan on doing this anytime soon, but I was wondering how you guys felt about potentially repurposing a bathroom as a large snake enclosure. I would cut off the water to the sink and shower, seal the door's edges and add a lock to the window, and take out the old toilet. I'd also cover the tile floor with a layer of substrate and then fill the room with PVC climbing structures and plants/hides. Of course any hiding places and escape routes would be closed and snake-proofed. The shower drain would be sealed and the tub filled with a deep layer of substrate. I know it might be difficult to clean, but is there anything else that could potentially be a problem? The room would be for either a couple female BPs or a larger snake, maybe a boa or medium-sized python. Once again, I'm just considering the option for later on, since an unused bathroom seemed like the perfect size enclosure. Thanks!

I think it would be overkill for BPs but for something larger it would be pretty neat provided you could maintain temps and humidity.

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Originally Posted by cletus

I think it would be overkill for BPs but for something larger it would be pretty neat provided you could maintain temps and humidity.

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This

I was thinking a couple large humidifiers and some heat lamps/pads for humidity and temps. You think a smaller Burm could live in a decently sized bathroom?

That sounds pretty cool, especially if you put a glass door on the room.

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Originally Posted by Bassball Fever

That sounds pretty cool, especially if you put a glass door on the room.

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I was thinking about that! Maybe I could add a window into the existing door...or use plexiglass?

A burm might be pushing it depending on how small the room is but an SD retic or a large boa would be awesome in a room like that.

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Originally Posted by cletus

A burm might be pushing it depending on how small the room is but an SD retic or a large boa would be awesome in a room like that.

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I would definitely go with a retic or maybe a BRB.

Sounds like the size of spaces people use for the larger monitors. I don't see any problem - just be EXTRA careful to properly block air vents and drains. A drop ceiling would need to be remodelled.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Sounds like the size of spaces people use for the larger monitors. I don't see any problem - just be EXTRA careful to properly block air vents and drains. A drop ceiling would need to be remodelled.

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Good point. I didn't think of that. Especially if there were any sort of climbing structure in the room.

Alright Flynn. This isn't an option for me but you threw the idea out there. You gotta do it now and tell us how it turns out... When can you start this project?

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Originally Posted by cletus

Alright Flynn. This isn't an option for me but you threw the idea out there. You gotta do it now and tell us how it turns out... When can you start this project?

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Don't tempt me, I don't think I can yet. I currently live with several other people who, surprisingly, do not want one of our bathrooms turned into snake heaven...Anyway when I move into a house with no roomies this will be my first project. :D As for the ceiling and vents, I didn't even think about that, you're right. I'd make sure that was snake-proofed as well.

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Originally Posted by FlynnTheBP

Don't tempt me, I don't think I can yet. I currently live with several other people who, surprisingly, do not want one of our bathrooms turned into snake heaven...Anyway when I move into a house with no roomies this will be my first project. :D As for the ceiling and vents, I didn't even think about that, you're right. I'd make sure that was snake-proofed as well.

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My burms in a 8' enclosure. Unless you cover all walls with thin PVC Sheets (shower wall panels) then the 1/2 gallon of piss everyother week will penetrate any kick boards, sheetrock and anything else and the smell will be unbearable. If your willing to gut the room then put $500 of thin 4'x8' sheets of pvc on the walls and floor then Silicone all corners it might work ok. But i myself would spend that money on a 8' AP display. Also a Burm will take plexiglass out in a heartbeat... You would need double pain.

I've heard of people doing this for retics. If you really want to make it cool, turn the tub into the water dish, large enough for most snakes to take a swim. Then add a recirculating waterfall, why not. That will fix your humidity issue. Leave the tub drain active for easy cleaning. Now that sounds like it has potential for a bad ass snake room!

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Originally Posted by rufretic

I've heard of people doing this for retics. If you really want to make it cool, turn the tub into the water dish, large enough for most snakes to take a swim. Then add a recirculating waterfall, why not. That will fix your humidity issue. Leave the tub drain active for easy cleaning. Now that sounds like it has potential for a bad ass snake room!

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That's an amazing idea! I was just worried that a smaller snake might be able to get through the shower drain grates or a bigger one could potentially push up a loose one. I'd get a retic I suppose, the Burm seems too big and powerful for a bathroom.

They also get a bit Cocky when they have a room to themselves. I dont know if its from the freedom or what.. But when you enter a room and a Retic or Burm is relaxing in its corner you better be ready to jump back when they warm you to let them be...19 years of a Docile Boy ive had and the longer he roams the house or settles in somewhere the Grumpier he is to put away hahahahaha. He loves the Tub and after a hour or so he starts to let you know he is staying in there with or without your permission :rofl:

This sounds like a really cool project however remember you may have some issues when and if you try to sell. Taking out a bathroom is going to drop the value not to mention unless you would be lucky enough to sell to another reptile keeper you are not going to have understanding buyers.

Not a bathroom but my reptile room has two closets and we turned one into my iguana cage, just ran power in there, built some lights and shelves in, put in a false bottom with lino over and chopped out the door to add plexi panels. I don't know what the heck I'll do with that room once he passes on though.

My husband is not thanking you all now that I've had this fun idea planted... I think it sounds amazing!

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Originally Posted by mamaodie

My husband is not thanking you all now that I've had this fun idea planted... I think it sounds amazing!

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Tell your husband you're welcome! :P

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

This sounds like a really cool project however remember you may have some issues when and if you try to sell. Taking out a bathroom is going to drop the value not to mention unless you would be lucky enough to sell to another reptile keeper you are not going to have understanding buyers.

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I was thinking about that. Maybe I can sell it as an extra closet? Lol I'd have a hard time explaining the tub and sink though... I was also wondering if the humidity might damage anything, or get mold growing? Otherwise I'm adding this to my list of future projects when I'm roommate free.

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Originally Posted by FlynnTheBP

I was thinking about that. Maybe I can sell it as an extra closet? Lol I'd have a hard time explaining the tub and sink though... I was also wondering if the humidity might damage anything, or get mold growing? Otherwise I'm adding this to my list of future projects when I'm roommate free.

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Don't get the wrong idea, this will not be a little project. You most certainly will have mold issues if you just try to make it a snake room without pretty massive construction. You would need to gut the room first, only leaving what you will be using. Then you would need to cover the entire room in something that is water proof and mold resistant, you can't leave any wood or drywall exposed or it will turn into a nightmare. I would also plan on adding a drain in the middle of the room so you would just hose it down for cleaning otherwise cleaning it would make it not worth it imo. It's a pretty huge project but if you plan to stay in the house long term it would be really cool.

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Originally Posted by FlynnTheBP

I was thinking about that. Maybe I can sell it as an extra closet? Lol I'd have a hard time explaining the tub and sink though... I was also wondering if the humidity might damage anything, or get mold growing? Otherwise I'm adding this to my list of future projects when I'm roommate free.

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Humidity along with other things will damage a room which is why I replied about the products you can use. You cant just throw a big snake in a room. A Ball Pythons feces alone dont compair in the slightest to a large snake let alone using a Tub as its water.. The Idea of it is awsome, just do it correctly so you dont damage the home. It can be done cheaply if you do it all yourself.

Oh my gosh this would be so cool O_O I hope that you can get to it and post progress pics asap hahaha. I'm having all these ideas for how you could customize the aesthetics of the room, I'm having all of these ideas with real rock instead of fake, and the waterfall would be amazing. I sort of feel that a transparent door seems almost necessary for a really big snake, just so that you can see where he is or easily glance in to check if he's in distress or something. I love all of these people on here with reticulated pythons and stuff hahaha, it's just so so so cool to me!

I understand this is not something to take on lightly, which is why I'm planning way in advance, but thank you everyone. I'd be okay with gutting the bathroom and maybe putting in a cheap concrete floor? Not sure how effectively that would work or if it makes sense in the long run. If a drain would be a good idea, I could do any construction and installation of plumbing/pipes that need to be put in place. I'm pretty handy with that sort of stuff.