Options for hides?

Hey everyone,

I see that it is important to have two hides for BPs. I use the half-log (unsure of its official name) that seem to be so common.

Was just wondering for those who don't use those hides- what are some alternatives that you use that are safe for a BP? I would love to make the enclosure more interesting but not unless I know it's safe for my BP.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0f88e8048d.jpg

Here's
My
BP by his favorite hide [emoji4]


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most of us don't use those hides because they do not provide the security that beeps need (cave-like with only one opening) as well as being hard to keep clean.

i started out using Exo-Terra hides like these but the uneven surface and little grooves made them a pain to clean, however i liked their look and the weight they had to them.

now i just use RBI hides; they're cheap and easy to clean. they're not prettiest hides around, but they're practical. only thing i can say i don't like is how light they are. i still have my old Exo-Terra ones just in case i need them.

Those wood hides are not secure enough for them. They are to open. Also if they pee or poop on them they become trash because you can't wash them. You want a completely enclosed hide for them with a small opening for them to go into and it needs to be dark.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

most of us don't use those hides because they do not provide the security that beeps need (cave-like with only one opening) as well as being hard to keep clean.

i started out using Exo-Terra hides like these but the uneven surface and little grooves became a pain to clean, however i liked their look and the weight they had to them.

now i just use RBI hides; they're cheap and easy to clean. they're not prettiest hides around, but they're practical. only thing i can say i don't like is how light they are. i still have my old Exo-Terra ones just in case i need them.

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Interesting. Would you recommend switching the hide I have for him? Would he feel uncomfortable after having that hide for so long


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I would switch and have two identical hides. One on each side.

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Originally Posted by ebbanflo

Interesting. Would you recommend switching the hide I have for him? Would he feel uncomfortable after having that hide for so long


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i absolutely would. he'll most likely be even more comfortable than ever with a proper hide that fits his needs.

oh! and i forgot to mention: the other drawback with those Exo-Terra hides is that the entry/exit hole is right in the center, so the snake can't really avoid being "seen." the RBI hides have the entry/exit hole off-center so the snake can properly "hide."

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i absolutely would. he'll most likely be even more comfortable than ever with a proper hide that fits his needs.

oh! and i forgot to mention: the other drawback with those Exo-Terra hides is that the entry/exit hole is right in the center, so the snake can't really avoid being "seen." the RBI hides have the entry/exit hole off-center so the snake can properly "hide."

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The RBIs deffinetly seem great and are the right price but they do lack some beauty elements that's the others provide. That's okay though, I like that they the entrance is off to the side, I think I'll have to go with the RBIs. Thanks so much!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I would switch and have two identical hides. One on each side.

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this x2.
2 identical hides is SOP (standard operating procedure) for ball pythons. :gj:

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Originally Posted by ebbanflo

The RBIs deffinetly seem great and are the right price but they do lack some beauty elements that's the others provide. That's okay though, I like that they the entrance is off to the side, I think I'll have to go with the RBIs. Thanks so much!


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OR you can make your own hides like user @MissterDog did! if you're interested you can ask them about their process, but the material and paint used is safe for animals. :)

I have made my own hides out of clay. Super easy way to get hides if you have access to a kiln. for my big boa i bought a black rubbermaid container and cut a hole in the front for him to go back and forth out of. For little snakes i have used old butter dishes or sourcream cups. Just make sure what ever you use has one entrance/exit and is dark and kinda cramped. snakes like small tight spaces.

I have multiple hides on my enclosure and he loves this one, he is most of the time if not always there

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f8995c2e4d.jpg

(The one behind the skull) I also have the small black one that tttttaylor showed already but he didn't like it :/ smh 🤦:cens0r:♂️

- Exp terra snake cave -large.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I have made my own hides out of clay. Super easy way to get hides if you have access to a kiln. for my big boa i bought a black rubbermaid container and cut a hole in the front for him to go back and forth out of. For little snakes i have used old butter dishes or sourcream cups. Just make sure what ever you use has one entrance/exit and is dark and kinda cramped. snakes like small tight spaces.

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I would attempt to make my own hides but I'm not a crafty person by any means. When you cut a hole in your container did you find a way to 'sand down' the edges? I would be worried about the edges being to sharp.

Exo Terra caves for most of mine as well ..
They are great for Royals ..

I use overlaid pieces of dried bark for Kings and Corns


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thanks for the recommendations everyone.
Ive gone with the RBI hides as they are cheap and will be easy to clean.

I do hope to expand and either buy or create some more beautiful looking hides, but as I am new to this the most important thing is making sure my BP is happy

Update! RBI hides working great!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...aac588be6e.jpg


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...410a3034e7.jpg


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I make my own using some take-out containers I purchased from amazon. I made a thread here a while back when I was using them for a humid hide. I have no problem keeping humidity up anymore so I use them exclusively as hides. Check out this link from my old post.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...08#post2475908

Just checked it out super cool! Yeah I was thinking about it but again just worried about making sure the door isn't sharp on the edges or anything. I definitely like the idea though and I like that it has a floor instead of just an open top, because if the weight my BP often pushes it up a little. Thinking I'll get small rocks to put on the hide so that it'll be a little more in place.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

most of us don't use those hides because they do not provide the security that beeps need (cave-like with only one opening) as well as being hard to keep clean.

i started out using Exo-Terra hides like these but the uneven surface and little grooves made them a pain to clean, however i liked their look and the weight they had to them.

now i just use RBI hides; they're cheap and easy to clean. they're not prettiest hides around, but they're practical. only thing i can say i don't like is how light they are. i still have my old Exo-Terra ones just in case i need them.

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i agree with the RBI hides. I have two of these and my baby loves them.

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Originally Posted by ebbanflo

Just checked it out super cool! Yeah I was thinking about it but again just worried about making sure the door isn't sharp on the edges or anything. I definitely like the idea though and I like that it has a floor instead of just an open top, because if the weight my BP often pushes it up a little. Thinking I'll get small rocks to put on the hide so that it'll be a little more in place.


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You can sand it down. That's what I do. Just an option.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ebbanflo

Just checked it out super cool! Yeah I was thinking about it but again just worried about making sure the door isn't sharp on the edges or anything. I definitely like the idea though and I like that it has a floor instead of just an open top, because if the weight my BP often pushes it up a little. Thinking I'll get small rocks to put on the hide so that it'll be a little more in place.


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I'd definitely sand with different grades of sandpaper. I'd say the key is making sure the hole doesn't have any sharp angles, cracks or corners where your bp's skin could catch on. Thicker plastic will be easier to work with.

Taking a lighter to thin plastic works well for smoothing it. I almost exclusively use DIY hides.