Bizarrely shaped enclosure

So, now that the "bottom portion" is finished of my dual enclosure thing, currently puzzled as to just how the upper one would even work for anything. The dimensions are all weird (72x22x17/5, the last part is before and after the slope) and I don't even know how heating would work since there's only about 9 inches of ceiling to work with and most of it is taken up by a comically long florescent tube. Also wish both drawers had access holes, and the one that doesn't even has more space for some reason.

First thing that comes to mind if I did figure out a solution is a sand boa or something to that end due to the awkward profile and drawer "burrow" but idk, other suggestions?
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...900&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

I like it, personally. Easy enough to cut a hole for access to the drawers too -but make absolutely SURE there's no gaps where a snake could get stuck & injured, if you decide to make use of them. I think you can make this work for many things, depending on what you want to keep. You're just used to rectangles, lol.

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

So, now that the "bottom portion" is finished of my dual enclosure thing, currently puzzled as to just how the upper one would even work for anything. The dimensions are all weird (72x22x17/5, the last part is before and after the slope) and I don't even know how heating would work since there's only about 9 inches of ceiling to work with and most of it is taken up by a comically long florescent tube.

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I agree that heating is your first issue. I'd check to see if you have enough space to add a socket and cage for a CHE or DHP. Five inches isn't a lot to work with. It'll be tight. If that doesn't work, I'd consider adding a false floor to the side opposite the access hole. You could then install heat tape there.

You'll be limited in your substrates as well. I wouldn't use anything that held moisture. You'd don't want moisture seeping down to your VBB's enclosure. Think slate, tile, repti-carpet or aspen.

All that said, I imagine there are many snakes that would thrive in such an enclosure. My Children's python would love it.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I agree that heating is your first issue....I'd consider adding a false floor to the side opposite the access hole. You could then install heat tape there...

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Years ago, I converted a wood cabinet to house a gopher snake, but the floor was much too thick for heat to rise from underneath using UTH. While I've mostly used Flexwatt UTH, at the time I also had some zoo-quality thick ceramic heat pads (another kind of UTH that heats much stronger & is made to safely withstand moisture, as when buried in zoo exhibits). I made a wood square that formed basically a flat-tunnel with wire mesh on top, so the UTH could sit on top- on the mesh (heat easily going up or down thru the wire mesh) & with doorways in 2 wood sides for the snake to pass thru. He could get on top of the heat, or enjoy being underneath it. Just a thought, if you can make it work there. The trouble with the typical heat tape (incl. Flexwatt) is that it's not made for moisture or for being inside the enclosure.

Anyway, I have no pics so I hope what I described makes sense? When you mentioned a "false floor" that reminded me of when I've done something similar.

Another way to heat this takes thinking outside the herpetological box when it comes to supplies. I've also heated a tall cabinet with heat cables- the type they sell for plumbing, to prevent pipes from freezing- and it was hooked to a thermostat- it worked quite well from within the cabinet. They come in various lengths. Just saying. ;)

I think it’ll make an awesome enclosure. I’d love to have some funky, alternatively geometrically shaped enclosures. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I think it’ll make an awesome enclosure. I’d love to have some funky, alternatively geometrically shaped enclosures. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

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I think so too- I love a challenge, & I love unique enclosures. I like everything about this cabinet, to be honest- in spite of the challenge.

Personally, I'd leave the drawer without the access hole as it is. It's a convenient place to keep tools and supplies handy. The other drawer should be sufficient to serve as a hidey hole.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I agree that heating is your first issue. I'd check to see if you have enough space to add a socket and cage for a CHE or DHP. Five inches isn't a lot to work with. It'll be tight. If that doesn't work, I'd consider adding a false floor to the side opposite the access hole. You could then install heat tape there.

You'll be limited in your substrates as well. I wouldn't use anything that held moisture. You'd don't want moisture seeping down to your VBB's enclosure. Think slate, tile, repti-carpet or aspen.

All that said, I imagine there are many snakes that would thrive in such an enclosure. My Children's python would love it.

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16 1/2 inches actually. The back ceiling is that tall (just slightly taller than my T10s actually) and the lowest point after the slope is 5 inches. But the problem is even if I removed the florescent tube, the flat space at the top is only 9 inches wide, so I'm not sure if there's any compact RHPs that would fit in that kind of space and be strong enough to warm the whole enclosure properly.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I think it’ll make an awesome enclosure. I’d love to have some funky, alternatively geometrically shaped enclosures. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think so too- I love a challenge, & I love unique enclosures. I like everything about this cabinet, to be honest- in spite of the challenge.

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However it may turn out, it won't be for a good while. My wallet needs to recover after all the money I had to put into the VBB project and I need to slow down overall after getting two snakes within only a few months of each other. But someday something will live it in, would be a waste to leave such a beautiful piece "half finished." ;)

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

16 1/2 inches actually. The back ceiling is that tall (just slightly taller than my T10s actually) and the lowest point after the slope is 5 inches. But the problem is even if I removed the florescent tube, the flat space at the top is only 9 inches wide, so I'm not sure if there's any compact RHPs that would fit in that kind of space and be strong enough to warm the whole enclosure properly.

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O.K. I misunderstood. The ceiling is 9 inches wide. Even without removing the fluorescent fixture, can't you fit a socket and cage for a CHE/DHP to the right of the fixture? I realize it's speculative at this point, but it doesn't hurt to kick ideas around.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

O.K. I misunderstood. The ceiling is 9 inches wide. Even without removing the fluorescent fixture, can't you fit a socket and cage for a CHE/DHP to the right of the fixture? I realize it's speculative at this point, but it doesn't hurt to kick ideas around.

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There's roughly 10 inches between the bulb and the side wall on either side, so I guess one could fit? Also realized that, if I ended up with something other than a snake that needs UVB, there's already a perfectly good fixture for it, just need the bulb switched out assuming there's UVB bulbs around 4 feet in length since that's the length of the bulb already in it. Though I don't know if UVB bulbs need to be caged off or not, don't know how hot they get and some searching around hasn't given me a definitive answer either.

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

There's roughly 10 inches between the bulb and the side wall on either side, so I guess one could fit? Also realized that, if I ended up with something other than a snake that needs UVB, there's already a perfectly good fixture for it, just need the bulb switched out assuming there's UVB bulbs around 4 feet in length since that's the length of the bulb already in it. Though I don't know if UVB bulbs need to be caged off or not, don't know how hot they get and some searching around hasn't given me a definitive answer either.

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Sounds like you're considering a lizard. I imagine there are many desert lizards that would be happy to call that enclosure home.

UVB bulbs get pretty warm too, but you also have to consider that snakes can spill their water bowls & then reach up & make contact with an electric light...:O Not good. So yeah, cage it or cover it with a diffuser shield.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Sounds like you're considering a lizard. I imagine there are many desert lizards that would be happy to call that enclosure home.

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Maybe. I've thought about lizards but have always been put off about the idea of either having to constantly buy feeder insects or attempt to raise my own colonies and also dealing with all the vitamin supplement business (snakes are so much simpler in that department). Uromastyx being entirely vegetarian makes them more appealing (especially the ornate species, they're so gorgeous), but they have the downside of needing it scorching hot compared to any animal I have currently, especially when it'd be right over a VBB who'd not be happy with anything over 85.

All in all, it's completely in the air. Would also be the perfect opportunity to take in a neglected/rescued animal when the timing is right. So many possibilities.

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

Maybe. I've thought about lizards but have always been put off about the idea of either having to constantly buy feeder insects or attempt to raise my own colonies and also dealing with all the vitamin supplement business (snakes are so much simpler in that department). Uromastyx being entirely vegetarian makes them more appealing (especially the ornate species, they're so gorgeous), but they have the downside of needing it scorching hot compared to any animal I have currently, especially when it'd be right over a VBB who'd not be happy with anything over 85.

All in all, it's completely in the air. Would also be the perfect opportunity to take in a neglected/rescued animal when the timing is right. So many possibilities.

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I know looking at that big beautiful enclosure empty every day must be maddening, but you just bit off a big chunk in that VBB. Best to chew on that a while before biting off another piece.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I know looking at that big beautiful enclosure empty every day must be maddening, but you just bit off a big chunk in that VBB. Best to chew on that a while before biting off another piece.

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More like mild curiosity on what I can do with it down the road than being driven mad. :rofl:

I actually was at a reptile show at the end of last month (got a bunch of pics but keep forgetting to make a thread for them here) and explicitly did not make any sort of QT setup at home to dissuade any temptations and only got supplies. So I am indeed being conscientious. ;)

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

More like mild curiosity on what I can do with it down the road than being driven mad. :rofl:

I actually was at a reptile show at the end of last month (got a bunch of pics but keep forgetting to make a thread for them here) and explicitly did not make any sort of QT setup at home to dissuade any temptations and only got supplies. So I am indeed being conscientious. ;)

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Just don't put a sand boa in there. That big beautiful display case would be wasted on a sand boa.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Just don't put a sand boa in there. That big beautiful display case would be wasted on a sand boa.

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It could just be a playhouse for when your VBB gets bored in his own place too- I really like the look of it, & the fact that there's no rush whatsoever to turn it into something- in time, the right use & modifications will become clear to you.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It could just be a playhouse for when your VBB gets bored in his own place too- I really like the look of it, & the fact that there's no rush whatsoever to turn it into something- in time, the right use & modifications will become clear to you.

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Wow! That's a great idea. No need to worry about heat in an activity station. Throw some toys in there. Keep changing it up. Snagrio will have the most pampered VBB in history (if he doesn't already).

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Just don't put a sand boa in there. That big beautiful display case would be wasted on a sand boa.

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Part of me thought of it just for the sheer dichotomy of having the snake you'll see the most often "paired" with the one almost never seen at all. :laughing: But you have a point.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It could just be a playhouse for when your VBB gets bored in his own place too- I really like the look of it, & the fact that there's no rush whatsoever to turn it into something- in time, the right use & modifications will become clear to you.

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Not a bad idea, though if anyone Zebes could probably get the most use out of such a thing, he's been going all over the place lately, assumedly looking for ladies. Besides, Mira hasn't even moved into it yet, want to give her more time plus I want to run the standard tests like I did before with her "brothers." She's easily the one to have the least amount of concern over due to her age and where she came from, but peace of mind and all that.

Got back to thinking of this thing again (yes it's still unoccupied). Really believe it'd be best suited for a lizard since it's not super tall and already has a tube fixture for UVB, but I'm unsure about the drawer thing itself in regards to if a lizard could get in and out or if they'd get stuck. Did measurements and the circle is 5 inches in diameter and the height from the bottom of the drawer to the top of the hole is 7 inches. Maybe I could glue a stack of rocks or something just below the hole to serve as steps?
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676

If using a UVB for a lizard that doesn't climb I think it doesn't really need to be "caged", but for a snake I would "cage it" for safety, since they tend to reach everything. It's been many years since I used a UVB- they don't get as hot as incandescent but they still build up some heat. Mine was for a bearded dragon.