Extra Measures to Prevent Escaping?

So, tonight, my ball python escaped. He is safe now and secure, but dear god, I must have lost at least twenty years off of my life. He was completely out and hanging off of a wall fixture. I could've screamed.

I'm fairly sure this was due to me not properly locking the tank (it is a click-into-place lock) because when I locked it properly and tested each door neither one budged when pushed against. I pushed to the point where I felt that if I pushed any harder it would break, and it stood firm. My bp is a young adult of maybe 3 feet- he is not that strong. But, I'm now paranoid. I have two heavy things propped against his doors so I can at least believe that it will hold, lock or no lock.

I have a tank that opens from the front and not the top. Does anyone here have any ideas of what I could do to amp up security and prevent escape? I was extremely lucky tonight. My cat was literally sitting just outside my door, and I happened to be bothered enough to check what the noise I was hearing was coming from. I want to do everything I can to keep this from ever happening again.

thank you!

A picture of what the door and lock looks like would help.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U98...w?usp=drivesdkhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1RgM...w?usp=drivesdkhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1RgM...w?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U98...w?usp=drivesdk

the embed photo option is currently not working for me so I hope this is ok! Also as you can see he is actively pushing against the glass which is not exactly comforting ahah

Given his size, I'm not sure there is a great way to secure that particular style of enclosure more than it already is without risking damaging it. I would upgrade him to something like an animal plastics T3, doesn't have to be that brand, but one where the doors slide and have a heavy duty lock. If you tried to push them open and they wouldn't budge, it probably was just you not locking it just right, but it's hard to know for sure. Snakes can be really strong and persistent. He might have been working at it long enough that very slowly it started jiggling enough to dislodge the lock.

Oh I have one of those tanks for my corn snake. He is very active in his tank but has not gotten out though. There is a space between the front doors and the top. If you push the top up, there is a small gap of space (I don't recommend these tanks for small colubrids). Whether or not this contributed to your ball python popping the lock open, I'm not sure. I used to close that gap using the tank clamps that you can pick up at the pet store. Again, the gap is too small for a ball python to get through but I wonder if it could push the door open so hard that lock popped?

Anyways, you can try other tanks like the Zilla Critter 40 gallon breeder. Those are top opening cages that locks by pushing in the lid. At the front, you place a small stick into the 2 holes that are aligned at the top to prevent further escape (Make sure the tank comes with that stick, a lot of pet stores loses them for some reason. Alternatively, you can make your own using a Q-tip or something similar).

I would avoid tanks from the new PetSmart brand cages.

You can also order a PVC cage and locks. There may be a wait time.

Temporarily, you can use a individual tub, drill some holes for ventilation, use large office clips to close the sides. I would recommend the Critter Cage because a determined snake can break out of a tub.

I have a few of the Exo-Terra Enclosures.

The little handle on the door should have a little hole in it (mine do)

The holes are used with this

https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-PT2...3586576&sr=8-2

Or something similar to lock the doors together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

I have a few of the Exo-Terra Enclosures.

The little handle on the door should have a little hole in it (mine do)

The holes are used with this

https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-PT2...3586576&sr=8-2

Or something similar to lock the doors together.

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looking at the reviews, this is not secure :(

Some people have been recommending I buy a new tank. This is not an option for me. That tank was expensive and has worked perfectly for me thus far and I do not have the money to sink in to a new one. His tank's internal stats (humidity, temp) are exactly where it needs to be and he has been a great eater for me since establishing this tank.

i cannot buy a new one. Please understand.

I agree with sliding something in the holes in the handle. I would recommend using a circular wooden dowel to slide in there. Once you get the right size it'll be perfect and won't allow the doors to open at all with it in.

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Originally Posted by smakemom

looking at the reviews, this is not secure :(

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An old school metal clothes hanger cut to size might work too.

I'd test that out real quick but don't have one here to try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

An old school metal clothes hanger cut to size might work too.

I'd test that out real quick but don't have one here to try.

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Dug around and found one :D, It fits, so you might be able to make something with one of those

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...613-101916.jpg

My two adult balls are in exos, no ones gotten out but if you look there is a spot for a lock, if you find something strong and not bendy like a solid bit of metal or even a thin pad lock it should do. That being said that's a bit small for him now.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

Anyways, you can try other tanks like the Zilla Critter 40 gallon breeder. Those are top opening cages that locks by pushing in the lid. At the front, you place a small stick into the 2 holes that are aligned at the top to prevent further escape (Make sure the tank comes with that stick, a lot of pet stores loses them for some reason. Alternatively, you can make your own using a Q-tip or something similar).

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Zilla also makes a front opening 40 breeder that has a latch and places on the top of the doors and bottom where you insert these plastic pegs that come with the enclosure for extra security. The concern I've always had with exos, and I may be wrong, but it doesn't look like there's anyway to secure the top of the doors. a Stronger snake or small one could in theory just push the top out and climb up and through.

That concern may be unfounded, but it's still a concern and the reason I've gone with other brands for my snakes. Now, I also know that these enclosures are expensive, and OP I'm not suggesting you jump up right now and purchase something different. I'm sure you can make this one work, I just choose not to use them because I've never really felt like the doors were secure enough for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hugsplox

Zilla also makes a front opening 40 breeder that has a latch and places on the top of the doors and bottom where you insert these plastic pegs that come with the enclosure for extra security. The concern I've always had with exos, and I may be wrong, but it doesn't look like there's anyway to secure the top of the doors. a Stronger snake or small one could in theory just push the top out and climb up and through.

That concern may be unfounded, but it's still a concern and the reason I've gone with other brands for my snakes. Now, I also know that these enclosures are expensive, and OP I'm not suggesting you jump up right now and purchase something different. I'm sure you can make this one work, I just choose not to use them because I've never really felt like the doors were secure enough for me.

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that's an understandable concern and I've run into lid issues with exo- I have tinfoil taped in place with heat safe heavy duty tape so that the mesh is totally covered except for where the heat lamps are (light-free heat emitters! no actual light of any kind) and there are small pieces that secure the lid in place but as it happens I have stuff on top of his tank and he has never touched the ceiling. I think he assumes the ceiling that is on the cool side of is toasty like it is on the hot side so he doesn't like getting too close. (Not hot enough to burn him, obviously, but quite warm)

i think I definitely didn't lock his tank properly that one night because it has been functioning fine and my faith has been somewhat restored, but I'll look into something to put in that little spot at the front of the tank where the lock has two holes. Someone suggested a wooden dowel and another suggested a clothing hanger. We will see!

Thought I'd comment that my two adult balls are in exos and the one moves around a lot and is a known escape artist but she has yet to get out of my exo.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by cuddlykhajiit

Thought I'd comment that my two adult balls are in exos and the one moves around a lot and is a known escape artist but she has yet to get out of my exo.

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Yea I don't want to come off as claiming exo enclosures aren't snake suitable because I'm sure they are, I just don't use them. I keep crested geckos in them and love them, but the concern with the doors keeps me from trying them with anything else. Again not saying they're not suitable, I just feel iffy about them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hugsplox

Yea I don't want to come off as claiming exo enclosures aren't snake suitable because I'm sure they are, I just don't use them. I keep crested geckos in them and love them, but the concern with the doors keeps me from trying them with anything else. Again not saying they're not suitable, I just feel iffy about them.

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The only thing I dislike is how the lids can be a bit flimsy. My cat got on my girls tank and it's slumped in a bit. And the pad locks were kinda not a brilliant idea since I can fit my hand through the gap lol.

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