My Bredli spends alot of time in hides.

My Bredli spends a lot, if not most, of his time in his hides. I have handled him much less this past month because I do not want to pull him from them. Especially his rock hide that he wraps pretty snugly into.

He is in a 66 qt Sterilite tub with a UTH. This past week I taped black construction paper around 3 sides to see if that helped him feel secure. It has not seemed to help.

Every night at dusk when the BPs come out of their hides to explore, he remains hidden. Prior to this, if I did walk in the room and turn on the light he would freeze and then slowly work his way back into a hide. The BPs continue to explore for hours.

Not sure what to do, his temps by the temp gun seem to be correct and he continues to eat each week.

Well, I guess just writing this brought me to action. While the kids had the BPs out I cleaned their enclosures and switched the Bredli into one of them. Its a starter kit glass enclosure with screen top and UTH. I have been wanting to make this switch for awhile as I think my pastel could use the extra humidity of the tub and I can now get a UV lamp for the Bredli.

Hopefully, the 2 days to acclimate is enough to keep everyone on their feeding schedule.

What's his light cycle like? How bright is his container? How much traffic goes by his container?

For comparison... My diamond/jungle stays in her hide all day. NEVER once seen her out of it in daylight unless I took her out myself. The container is glass but put in a somewhat dimmer part of the room.

I've got a timer on the UTH and heat light which turns off at 8:30pm. A while after this turns off (say 9pm or so) she will always come out and move to her branch where she'll hang out as far as I know all night long. My wife tells me that at 5am she's still out on the branch. Once the lights start coming on in the house, I assume she packs it in and retreats to the hide again, she's definitely no longer out by around 7:30am. If I come out late at night and turn on some nearby lights, it does not seem to bother her - she stays out.

If he's eating fine then at least his stress level can't be TOO much. He may grow out of it as he gets bigger, or it may just be individual personality variations.

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Originally Posted by dboeren

What's his light cycle like? How bright is his container? How much traffic goes by his container?

For comparison... My diamond/jungle stays in her hide all day. NEVER once seen her out of it in daylight unless I took her out myself. The container is glass but put in a somewhat dimmer part of the room.

I've got a timer on the UTH and heat light which turns off at 8:30pm. A while after this turns off (say 9pm or so) she will always come out and move to her branch where she'll hang out as far as I know all night long. My wife tells me that at 5am she's still out on the branch. Once the lights start coming on in the house, I assume she packs it in and retreats to the hide again, she's definitely no longer out by around 7:30am. If I come out late at night and turn on some nearby lights, it does not seem to bother her - she stays out.

If he's eating fine then at least his stress level can't be TOO much. He may grow out of it as he gets bigger, or it may just be individual personality variations.

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Good questions. Light cycle is natural. I leave the blinds open as the spare room/office is in the northeast corner of our house and protected by trees. Very little traffic in the room day or night.

I do not have a timer on the UTH. I will add one when I add the UV lamp. I did think the tub might have trapped in too much ambient heat as he did prefer the cool side but would use the warm side hide as well.

The tub was opaque until I covered the sides this week.

The glass enclosure now has the same set up but should be cooler. The glass front is, of course, much clearer in the front which is nice to see him with more clarity now but it's anybody's guess how he responds.

Nice to get an update on your diamond/jungle. Happy he is using his perch during the night.

Yeah, if you swapped his enclosure then I wouldn't mess with anything else until he gets accustomed to it for a while. Just wait and see how it goes but as long as he's eating I wouldn't be too worried.

For hides, I like to give several choices with both heated and unheated options. Mine usually hangs out in the warm hide. It's actually a long log that's halfway over the UTH so she can go to the cooler side if she wants without leaving the hide.

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Originally Posted by dboeren

Yeah, if you swapped his enclosure then I wouldn't mess with anything else until he gets accustomed to it for a while. Just wait and see how it goes but as long as he's eating I wouldn't be too worried.

For hides, I like to give several choices with both heated and unheated options. Mine usually hangs out in the warm hide. It's actually a long log that's halfway over the UTH so she can go to the cooler side if she wants without leaving the hide.

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I agree. Hope he likes the new set up and I'll wait for any add-ons. The log is a great idea.

@ Rock- I would have to agree that my Bredli hides more than my other Morelia as well. He's usually in his warm hide during the day but I don't think I've ever seen him in his cool side hide. He does comes out onto his perch most nights though unless he's digesting a meal. My carpets will perch or just lay in the open most the time. I'm hoping both of our Bredli become more outgoing as they grow.

Is he getting ready to shed? All of my snakes become antisocial when they are starting to shed. It's the easiest way i can tell they are getting ready to shed as i have 3 white snakes.

I'd have to go back and open up my copy of THE COMPLETE CARPET PYTHON, but from what I remember speaking to Nick Mutton, he said Bredli tend to find old tree hollows and spend there time in them.

My coastal usually sits on top of her hide on the warm side during the day. When in shed of early digestion, she will go into her hide for a few days.

In the evening until morning she is usually climbing on her perches.

When you have the time and the funds, I'm sure your Bredli will display better for you in a larger plastic cage. Right now, I think you are doing the right thing and shouldn't worry.

Bredli are from the really hot, dry part of OZ, so I'm not surprised that during the day, there would be minimal activity in the open.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

@ Rock- I would have to agree that my Bredli hides more than my other Morelia as well. He's usually in his warm hide during the day but I don't think I've ever seen him in his cool side hide. He does comes out onto his perch most nights though unless he's digesting a meal. My carpets will perch or just lay in the open most the time. I'm hoping both of our Bredli become more outgoing as they grow.

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Thanks, Zig, good to know. I wonder if switching to a Radiant Heat Panel for his permanent enclosure will help promote basking during the day?

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Is he getting ready to shed? All of my snakes become antisocial when they are starting to shed. It's the easiest way i can tell they are getting ready to shed as i have 3 white snakes.

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After seeing him more clearly last night it is completely possible. He also hid for several days in a row the last time prior to his shed.

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Originally Posted by Gio

I'd have to go back and open up my copy of THE COMPLETE CARPET PYTHON, but from what I remember speaking to Nick Mutton, he said Bredli tend to find old tree hollows and spend there time in them.

My coastal usually sits on top of her hide on the warm side during the day. When in shed of early digestion, she will go into her hide for a few days.

In the evening until morning she is usually climbing on her perches.

When you have the time and the funds, I'm sure your Bredli will display better for you in a larger plastic cage. Right now, I think you are doing the right thing and shouldn't worry.

Bredli are from the really hot, dry part of OZ, so I'm not surprised that during the day, there would be minimal activity in the open.

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Thank you, Gio, that sounds correct. My thinking has been to get the permanent enclosure at the end of the year after he has grown. A 4x2x? seems too large at this point. I doubt he is much over 3 feet if he is even there yet. I will wait until next week to get his weight.

The good news is, last night he was out at sundown and seemed totally comfortable in the new enclosure and spent at least an hour stretched out and on a wooden perch. :)

My girl has a 4x2x2 with a basking shelf and a RHP. She spends most of her time on the shelf, but goes through phases when she hides. And like others, she hides while in shed.

She's always had a RHP, and always spent a lot of time out of hides, but when she was smaller she had an artificial tree she spent a lot of time in - combination perching and hiding space.


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With a RHP you're basically saying "if you want to be warm, you have to come out". That probably encourage him to come out more, but he may also be more stressed if he didn't want to come out.

I'm currently offering both and under tank heater and a heat lamp that gives a basking site of about 90 degrees on a branch at the top of the cage. This way the snake can pick what it wants. If I wanted to encourage her to come out more often during the day what I'd probably do is GRADUALLY lower the thermostat on the under tank heater but not shut it off entirely. See what happens, but always give at least some heat so that if she really doesn't want to come out she's not forced into it.

The light isn't on a thermostat, it's just a low watt normal bulb with the temp controlled by the elevation and there's a thermometer probe taped to the branch so I can monitor it that way but of course the light doesn't move so it's pretty constant.

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

My girl has a 4x2x2 with a basking shelf and a RHP. She spends most of her time on the shelf, but goes through phases when she hides. And like others, she hides while in shed.

She's always had a RHP, and always spent a lot of time out of hides, but when she was smaller she had an artificial tree she spent a lot of time in - combination perching and hiding space.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Thank you. A shelf and an RHP are definitely on my shopping list. My Bredli was over a year with the breeder in a tub. That has likely affected his behavior and need for privacy.

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Originally Posted by dboeren

With a RHP you're basically saying "if you want to be warm, you have to come out". That probably encourage him to come out more, but he may also be more stressed if he didn't want to come out.

I'm currently offering both and under tank heater and a heat lamp that gives a basking site of about 90 degrees on a branch at the top of the cage. This way the snake can pick what it wants. If I wanted to encourage her to come out more often during the day what I'd probably do is GRADUALLY lower the thermostat on the under tank heater but not shut it off entirely. See what happens, but always give at least some heat so that if she really doesn't want to come out she's not forced into it.

The light isn't on a thermostat, it's just a low watt normal bulb with the temp controlled by the elevation and there's a thermometer probe taped to the branch so I can monitor it that way but of course the light doesn't move so it's pretty constant.

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Good stuff, I like your set up. I may need to order my big enclosure and accessories sooner than later.

4 x 2 x 2 is great for almost all carpets.

Ed Lilley, of Constrictors NW (Pro-Line Cages) who is also a carpet breeder uses his caging obviously and uses RHPs exclusively.
Nick Mutton uses the same caging and the same heating, at least when I spoke to him he did.

RHPs will create an ambient temp in the cage, and a hot spot. With perches at certain levels the will also be climate zones.

The snake can decide where to regulate. When you have a cool spot, the hot spots can be 89 to 100 degrees depending on where the snake sets up. A branch right under, and close to the panel will be the warmest spot. The snake won't burn as there is no contact with the heat source.

My girl will perch under the panel on a branch for heat. She will sit on her hide below the panel as well but the perches block some of the direct heat. She is still on the warm side, but not up as high or in as warm of a zone.

This photo doesn't do justice to the height of the cage. 24" tall is a nice sized cage.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_3580.jpg

When she want to be cool, she hot the floor, or goes into her hide.

A good thermostat with a night drop is my preference. I drop the night temps for all of the snakes here so they are never in an eternally hot or cool climate.

I'd say now that your snake is acclimated, you could move up in cage size, or at least buy the cage and slowly set it up.

The rock background I have in the cage is from OZ. An actual mold of rocks, and maybe even from Alice Springs which is the home range of the Bredli.

This gives you an idea of what a cage 48" x 24" x 24" cage looks like.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2638.jpg

I love a good display!!
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2640.jpg


Your snake will surprise you when given options.

Good luck and have fun!

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Originally Posted by Gio

4 x 2 x 2 is great for almost all carpets.

Ed Lilley, of Constrictors NW (Pro-Line Cages) who is also a carpet breeder uses his caging obviously and uses RHPs exclusively.
Nick Mutton uses the same caging and the same heating, at least when I spoke to him he did.

RHPs will create an ambient temp in the cage, and a hot spot. With perches at certain levels the will also be climate zones.

The snake can decide where to regulate. When you have a cool spot, the hot spots can be 89 to 100 degrees depending on where the snake sets up. A branch right under, and close to the panel will be the warmest spot. The snake won't burn as there is no contact with the heat source.

My girl will perch under the panel on a branch for heat. She will sit on her hide below the panel as well but the perches block some of the direct heat. She is still on the warm side, but not up as high or in as warm of a zone.

This photo doesn't do justice to the height of the cage. 24" tall is a nice sized cage.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FIMG_3580.jpg

When she want to be cool, she hot the floor, or goes into her hide.

A good thermostat with a night drop is my preference. I drop the night temps for all of the snakes here so they are never in an eternally hot or cool climate.

I'd say now that your snake is acclimated, you could move up in cage size, or at least buy the cage and slowly set it up.

The rock background I have in the cage is from OZ. An actual mold of rocks, and maybe even from Alice Springs which is the home range of the Bredli.

This gives you an idea of what a cage 48" x 24" x 24" cage looks like.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FIMG_2638.jpg

I love a good display!!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FIMG_2640.jpg


Your snake will surprise you when given options.

Good luck and have fun!

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Big thanks, Gio, great info. You also have the best pics.

Yes, Nick originally recommended Ed to me and I spoke with him on the phone. Good guy, I definitely want his HDPE cages. I will also get them for my BPs. Likely 48x23x14 so I can stack them. Just have to figure out if I will run one large Herpstat or two separate ones.

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Originally Posted by rock

Big thanks, Gio, great info. You also have the best pics.

Yes, Nick originally recommended Ed to me and I spoke with him on the phone. Good guy, I definitely want his HDPE cages. I will also get them for my BPs. Likely 48x23x14 so I can stack them. Just have to figure out if I will run one large Herpstat or two separate ones.

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I have a Herpstat II for the boa and retic cages and a Herpstat I for the carpet. The royal has a VE 300 plus a UTH. That cage is a temp cage and she'll get the retic cage and the retic is getting a 6' x 30" x 24".

You will do really well with the HDPE plastic. I love the stuff. All cages have strengths and weaknesses but I have no complaints with my cages.

I'm looking forward to seeing what your final setup looks like!

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Originally Posted by Gio

I have a Herpstat II for the boa and retic cages and a Herpstat I for the carpet. The royal has a VE 300 plus a UTH. That cage is a temp cage and she'll get the retic cage and the retic is getting a 6' x 30" x 24".

You will do really well with the HDPE plastic. I love the stuff. All cages have strengths and weaknesses but I have no complaints with my cages.

I'm looking forward to seeing what your final setup looks like!

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Thanks, I'm looking forward to it also! Ed has backgrounds he can insert. Wondering if I should get one or a shelf? I'd really like to have a red Alice Springs cliff look inside.

Herpstat and VE seem to be the go to T-stats so I will just have to choose and I think the Pro Products/Pro Heat RHP is the one I decided on. Not sure how to do a UV bulb in Ed's cages so I will have to ask.

So, I will have two 48x23x14 cages for the BPs and the 48x23x23 for the Bredli likely stacked on top. Good looking wall! I just wish there were a few more Carpets or Boas to add in. :)

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Originally Posted by rock

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it also! Ed has backgrounds he can insert. Wondering if I should get one or a shelf? I'd really like to have a red Alice Springs cliff look inside.

Herpstat and VE seem to be the go to T-stats so I will just have to choose and I think the Pro Products/Pro Heat RHP is the one I decided on. Not sure how to do a UV bulb in Ed's cages so I will have to ask.

So, I will have two 48x23x14 cages for the BPs and the 48x23x23 for the Bredli likely stacked on top. Good looking wall! I just wish there were a few more Carpets or Boas to add in. :)

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I personally would go with perches over a shelf, especially for a carpet. Ed would likely say the same. Now the rocky background in my carpet cage was rather expensive, I'd say close to the price of the cage. It has ledges that stick out which is really nice. Not only does the snake get perches, but she can use the wall to rest on. The rubber used to make the background is very tough, and if you have to cut it, I suggest leaving it in the hot sun for a while and use tin snips or a very heavy duty scissors to cut it. You will have to install it after you set the cage up and then run a bead of caulk along the bottom. You will need some small screws to mount the background. If the screws show, dab them with caulk and put a pinch of sand on the caulking and it will blend in beautifully.

My boa cage background maybe the Alice Springs background, I'm not sure, but either way, it is a lot less expensive, easier to mount, and it is flat. No ledges, but Ed will send you a sheet that is a little too big for the cage so you can bend it a bit and give it some areas where is protrudes a bit out into the cage.

This is just after I set up the boa constrictor cage.
This is the flatter, less expensive background.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/DSC01256.jpg
On the right side of the bottom cage you can see how I made the background pop out a bit. I maybe should have done more but didn't want much intrusion into the cage. I have large hides and the background would push them out.

I thought I had a build picture of the carpet cage, I must have left it off of photo bucket.
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/IMG_2635.jpg.

OK, so the Pro-Products panel is a great panel, you are good there. The lights are all mounted to the top of the cage. You will drill a little or screw somethings in. Be creative. The cords all string out through the air vents located in the top right and left corners of the cage.

I set the cage up, decide where my accessories will go, mount them and then put the ceiling on last.

If you can't use a UV light, which I don't a reason why not, just take the snake out in the sun in the summer.

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Originally Posted by Gio

I personally would go with perches over a shelf, especially for a carpet. Ed would likely say the same. Now the rocky background in my carpet cage was rather expensive, I'd say close to the price of the cage. It has ledges that stick out which is really nice. Not only does the snake get perches, but she can use the wall to rest on. The rubber used to make the background is very tough, and if you have to cut it, I suggest leaving it in the hot sun for a while and use tin snips or a very heavy duty scissors to cut it. You will have to install it after you set the cage up and then run a bead of caulk along the bottom. You will need some small screws to mount the background. If the screws show, dab them with caulk and put a pinch of sand on the caulking and it will blend in beautifully.

My boa cage background maybe the Alice Springs background, I'm not sure, but either way, it is a lot less expensive, easier to mount, and it is flat. No ledges, but Ed will send you a sheet that is a little too big for the cage so you can bend it a bit and give it some areas where is protrudes a bit out into the cage.

This is just after I set up the boa constrictor cage.
This is the flatter, less expensive background.
On the right side of the bottom cage you can see how I made the background pop out a bit. I maybe should have done more but didn't want much intrusion into the cage. I have large hides and the background would push them out.

I thought I had a build picture of the carpet cage, I must have left it off of photo bucket.

OK, so the Pro-Products panel is a great panel, you are good there. The lights are all mounted to the top of the cage. You will drill a little or screw somethings in. Be creative. The cords all string out through the air vents located in the top right and left corners of the cage.

I set the cage up, decide where my accessories will go, mount them and then put the ceiling on last.

If you can't use a UV light, which I don't a reason why not, just take the snake out in the sun in the summer.

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Great detail, bud. Your backgrounds look great. I am really itching to start now! As you've shown, Ed has a few options including the slightly bendable Poly rubber material and the rigid foam. Definitely zoo quality detail. You've really used it well.

I will definitely choose one of his backgrounds for the Bredli and perches, like you said, and then decide if I want to go with the foam or a shelf for the BPs.

You've set the bar high and thanks to your help I'll definitely be able to set up something respectable for the lil' noodles. :)